The expulsion of Russian diplomats from several European countries is a pre-agreed campaign that strikes at bilateral relations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Tuesday. 

"Obviously, this campaign is pre-agreed. A blow is being dealt to bilateral relations, through the channels of diplomatic communication," the deputy minister was quoted as saying by TASS.

In another remark from the Kremlin on Tuesday, spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the mass expulsions of Russian diplomats a "short-sighted move" that will only complicate communication.

"Narrowing down opportunities for diplomatic communication in such an unprecedentedly difficult crisis environment is a short-sighted move that will further complicate our communication, which is necessary to find a solution," he told reporters. 

As of now, some 20 countries are in a diplomatic rift with Russia and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia will give an appropriate response.