Moscow Expels Four Employees of the Austrian Embassy

Moscow is expelling four employees of the Austrian Embassy in retaliation for Austria's actions against Russian diplomatic staff. This was reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On February 16, the Austrian Ambassador to Moscow, Werner Almhofer, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry where a decisive protest was lodged regarding the "provocative statements made by official Vienna about designating four employees of Russian foreign institutions in Austria as undesirable persons."

The ministry considered Austria's expulsion of Russian staff a hostile and unfounded act, causing serious damage to bilateral relations, which are already strained due to actions taken by the Austrian side. The credibility of Vienna as a neutral state and a venue for international diplomacy is also compromised.

"In response, four employees of the Austrian Embassy in the Russian Federation have been declared persona non grata. They must leave the country by the end of February 23. A corresponding note has been handed to the ambassador," stated the ministry's announcement.

The ambassador was also made aware of the difficulties regarding visa processing for Russian official delegations traveling to Vienna for multilateral events. The communiqué noted that this contradicts Austria's obligations as a venue for international meetings.