Moscow vowed on Wednesday to respond after Athens took measures against Russian diplomats.

Russia will give “a mirror response will follow as per established practice for such case”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Two Russian diplomats were expelled from Greece and another two were banned from entering the country over “illegal activities” and “meddling” that undermine “national security,” according to Kathimerini newspaper, which cited diplomatic sources.

Athens has accused diplomats of “attempts to collect and disseminate information, as well as bribing government officials,” the article says.

The same sources claim that Greece wants to maintain good relations with Russia, promote friendship between the two nations, and cooperation among governments and civil society actors on both sides. However, according to them, this can be done only on the basis of parity and of mutual respect for the sovereignty and independence of the two countries, the newspaper notes.

Source: Sputnik