MOSCOW, March 14. Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the expulsion of two Russian diplomats from Austria, said that relations between the countries “there is nothing particularly complicated to complicate”, the Russian Foreign Ministry has already said everything on this matter.
The Austrian newspaper die Presse previously reported that the Austrian Foreign Ministry at the beginning of the week notified two diplomats from the Russian embassy that they would be expelled «due to actions not consistent with their diplomatic status.» The Austrian Foreign Ministry confirmed this information, clarifying that Russian diplomats must leave the territory of the republic no later than in a week, that is, by the end of March 19. Later, the diplomatic mission of the Russian side in Vienna expressed indignation at the decision of the Austrian Foreign Ministry to declare two employees of the Russian Embassy persona non grata. The Russian side stated that it considers this decision of the Austrian authorities to be “purely political” and “categorically does not accept it.” The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow strongly condemns the expulsion of Russian diplomats, responsibility for the consequences lies entirely with the Austrian authorities, and Russia will respond to this unfriendly step in a timely manner.
“Yes, there is nothing particularly complicated there. Actually, the Foreign Ministry has said everything,” Peskov told reporters, answering the question to what extent the decision to expel diplomats will complicate relations between the Russian Federation and Austria.