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Russia asks Czech embassy to cut employees in retaliation
CGTN
Czech police officers are seen outside the Russian embassy in Prague, the Czech Republic, April 22, 2021. /Xinhua

Czech police officers are seen outside the Russian embassy in Prague, the Czech Republic, April 22, 2021. /Xinhua

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday demanded that the Czech embassy in Moscow reduce its number of employees, shortly after Prague made a similar move.

Earlier in the day, the Czech Foreign Ministry announced that it would put a cap on the number of employees in the Russian embassy in Prague, to match the number of envoys at the Czech embassy in Moscow. It said the Russian side had to withdraw its staff by the end of May.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it summoned Czech ambassador to Russia Vitezslav Pivonka and strongly protested to him against the new restrictions.

In response to "the hostile actions," the Russian ministry demanded the Czech embassy in Moscow reduce its staffers, since there is "significant disparity" in terms of the locally hired staff.

It remains unclear how many people from both sides will be affected by this new diplomatic spat.

Pivonka was told that Moscow reserves the right to take further steps if the Czech Republic continues anti-Russian steps.

The Czech government recently expelled 18 Russian embassy staffers over the alleged involvement of Russian special services in two ammunition depot explosions in 2014.

The Russian side has denied the accusations and responded by expelling 20 staffers of the Czech embassy in Moscow.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

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