Russia hands protest note to German diplomatic mission chief in Moscow

Russia has lodged a formal protest with the head of Germany’s diplomatic mission in Moscow after Berlin declared a staff member of the Russian embassy persona non grata.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the German envoy to express what it described as a “strong protest” over the decision, Caliber.Az reports.

Moscow rejected allegations by German authorities that the Russian diplomat had been involved in espionage, calling the claims unfounded.

In a statement, the ministry said the accusations were “fabricated” and reflected what it characterised as growing “spy hysteria” in Germany. It also accused Berlin of attempting to discredit Russia’s diplomatic presence in the country.

In response, Russia announced that it was expelling a German diplomatic staff member from the German embassy in Moscow. The move was described by Russian officials as a “symmetrical response” to Germany’s decision.

Moscow said the German government bore full responsibility for what it called a fresh escalation in bilateral relations, which have been strained in recent years amid broader tensions between Russia and Western countries.

Germany has not yet publicly commented on Russia’s latest measure.