“The Austrian authorities have unfoundedly declared two diplomats of the Russian Embassy in Austria persona non-grata. Russia strongly condemns this hostile step by Vienna,” the Foreign Ministry noted in a statement published on its official website this Thursday. The Ministry added that the consequences of the decision rest entirely with Vienna’s authorities and promised that Moscow would take measures in due course.

Almost two years ago, several Western countries announced the expelling of diplomats and staff from Russian embassies on the pretext of national security or activities incompatible with the Vienna Convention.

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