Flag of Bulgaria. Archival photoMOSCOW, June 29 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, commenting on Bulgaria's decision to expel 70 employees of the Russian embassy, said that this was done by order of external forces. the retiring Bulgarian cabinet of ministers to deal a devastating blow to relations with Russia and to the remaining mechanisms of bilateral dialogue,» Zakharova said at a briefing in Moscow. «, — she added. According to Zakharova, «this was not done in the interests of Bulgaria and the citizens of Bulgaria, it was done by order of external forces.» At the same time, she believes that these «external forces, under false pretexts, seek to pit European states against Russia.» The Bulgarians were outraged by the expulsion of Russian diplomats
