Russia is looking to expel some American diplomats from the country after the US deported 12 Russian diplomats late last month.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that a senior diplomat at the US Embassy in Moscow was handed a note listing the names of diplomats who are now considered “persona non grata” – meaning they are no longer in the country are welcome – reported CNN .
“The American side was strongly told that any hostile actions by the United States against Russia would receive a firm and appropriate response,” the statement said, according to the network.
It was not immediately clear how many diplomats were expelled and which ones.
A State Department spokesman confirmed that the US Embassy had received a list of expelled American diplomats.
“This is Russia’s latest unhelpful and unproductive step in our bilateral relationship. We call on the Russian government to end its unjustified expulsions of US diplomats and employees,” the spokesman said in a statement. “Now it’s more important than ever that our countries have the necessary diplomatic staff to facilitate communication between our governments.”
The US expelled 12 Russian diplomats at the United Nations in late February for alleged espionage activities.
“The US has informed the Russian Mission that we are beginning the expulsion of 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their residency rights in the US by engaging in espionage activities harmful to our national security,” Olivia Dalton , said a spokeswoman for the US ambassador to the United Nations at the time.
The latest development comes as Russia wraps up the fourth week of its invasion of Ukraine.
The Hill has reached out to the State Department and the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC for comment.
Update: 8:28 p.m