Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the 7th State Duma Committee on International Affairs:
“The collective West continues its course towards diplomatic confrontation with Russia. The deprivation of accreditation of 8 employees of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to NATO will further reduce the level of interaction. Currently, the position of the Russian permanent representative in Brussels is vacant. The expulsion of employees of the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation will clearly not contribute to the establishment of a dialogue.
I am sure that all accusations against the Russians of alleged “malicious activity” are unfounded and will not be confirmed.
In diplomatic practice, steps related to the withdrawal of accreditation are reciprocal. I have no doubt that the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry will propose an adequate response, not necessarily symmetrical. “
