Russia's Foreign Ministry on Monday said the U.S. was behind the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Czech Republic.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also told broadcaster Rossiya-1 that the "whole story that official Prague keeps hyping up" is connected to the disclosed conspiracy to stage a coup in Belarus.

The central European country ordered 18 Russian diplomats out on Saturday, prompting Moscow to expel 20 Czech diplomats on Sunday in retaliation.

Zakharova also accused the anti-Russia move as an attempt by some European countries to hide problems within the EU member states and in the West in general.

The Kremlin on Monday called the Czech Republic's actions "provocative and unfriendly."

Prague, on the other hand, said Russia's retaliatory expulsion of embassy employees was a stronger than expected reaction, adding the government will consider further step.

The tit-for-tat between Russia and Czech Republic came after the U.S. last week imposed sanctions against Russia and expelled ten diplomats citing Moscow's alleged election interference and cyber activities.

(With input from agencies)