Russia to expel five Portuguese diplomats

The Russian Foreign Ministry has decided to declare five employees of the Portuguese Embassy in Moscow persona non grata. This was a response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats from this European country. 

"As a response, five employees of the Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the Russian Federation have been declared persona non grata. They must leave the territory of the country within 14 days from the date of delivery of the corresponding note to the ambassador," the statement on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry noted that on May 19, Portuguese Ambassador to Moscow Madalena Fischer was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

Russia submitted a protest in connection with the "provocative decision of the authorities of the Portuguese Republic." The country had previously expelled 10 employees of the Russian diplomatic mission.