Eight Greek diplomats were expelled by the Kremlin, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

A statement from Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the move was in retaliation for Athens’ expulsion of Russian diplomats a few months ago and for sending military equipment to Ukraine.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately responded to the announcement of the Russian authorities for the expulsion of 8 Greek diplomats, emphasizing that such a decision is baseless.

The statement of the Russian Foreign Minister:

“On June 27, the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Russian Federation was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he strongly protested against the Greek authorities’ conflict with Russia, including the supply of weapons and ammunition to Kyiv and the proclamation of a group of Russian diplomats in Greece as “personae non gratae”.

The ambassador was given a note which stated that, in response, eight Greek diplomats in Russia had been declared “personae non gratae” and had to leave the country within eight days. He was also informed about other measures taken by the Russian side regarding the operation of the Greek delegations abroad in Russia.

It is emphasized that we are talking about the immediate consequences of the unfriendly actions started by the Greek authorities. The full responsibility for this event lies exclusively with Athens. It is pointed out that in case this anti-Russian policy continues, we reserve the right to respond.”

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Athens’ response

Foreign Ministry announcement regarding a decision by the Russian authorities to declare eight diplomats of the Greek Embassy in Moscow, as well as the Consulate General of Moscow, as personae non gratae (27.06.2022):

“We express our deep regret for the decision of the Russian authorities to declare eight officials of the Greek Embassy in Moscow, as well as the Consulate General in Moscow, as personae non gratae.

There is no basis for the decision of the Russian authorities to expel members of the Greek diplomatic and consular authorities to Russia, who, distinguished by their professionalism and high sense of responsibility, performed their duties in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Conventions for the Diplomatic and Consular Relations.

Greece maintains an attitude of principle, guided by respect for international law.

It goes without saying that the Embassy in Moscow, as well as the Consular Authorities in Russia, will continue to make every effort to continue their mission in particularly difficult conditions.”

A few days back, sarcastic comments were made by the person in charge of Greek-Russian relations, Yuri Pilipson, a senior official of the Russian Foreign Ministry, who blamed Athens for the “dead-end”, as he said, policy of “destroying” the long-standing bilateral relations of the two countries. Pilipson also referred to security problems in Greece, but also to the fact that Greece sends weapons to Ukraine.

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