"Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that it had summoned the German Ambassador's representative to inform them that it had declared a staff member at the German Embassy persona non grata. The ministry linked the move to a decision by the German government to expel an employee of the Russian Embassy in Berlin last month on espionage allegations which Russia rejects. It called Thursday's move a 'symmetrical response' and said that Germany bore 'full responsibility for the new escalation in bilateral relations.'"
"German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, meanwhile, criticized the move as 'completely unacceptable' and said it was lacking in factual basis. 'While our diplomats adhere to the law, Russia relies on escalation and espionage under the guise of diplomacy,' Wadephul said. He said the German government would continue to respond firmly to Russian activities and that it reserved the right to take further measures if it saw fit."
Russia summoned the German Ambassador's representative and declared a staff member at the German Embassy persona non grata, linking the action to Germany's prior expulsion of a Russian embassy employee over espionage allegations that Russia rejects. Russia described its action as a symmetrical response and held Germany responsible for escalating bilateral relations. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the Russian move completely unacceptable and lacking factual basis, asserting that German diplomats adhere to the law while accusing Russia of escalation and espionage disguised as diplomacy. Wadephul said Germany would respond firmly and may take further measures. The case relates to an alleged spying incident tied to a detained Ukrainian national and follows warnings across Europe about increased Russian espionage and reciprocal expulsions.
Read at www.dw.com
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