Russia expelled dozens of European diplomats from its country on Wednesday, the latest move by the Kremlin in response to Western countries expelling Russian diplomats.
A woman walks past the Italian embassy in Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry said in statements posted to its website that France and Spain's decision to expel Russian diplomats last month was the reason for their dismissal.
The French diplomats were given two weeks to leave, while the Spanish officials had to leave within a week.
Russia retaliated to Italy expelling Russian officials by expelling 24 Italian diplomats, according to state-run news agencies.
Dozens of other European officials, including diplomats from the European Union, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, were kicked out of Russia last month. The expulsions are in response to a wave of Russian officials being kicked out of Western countries. Western officials say many of those dismissed are linked to Russian espionage.
The Italian Prime Minister said that the expulsion of Italian diplomats from Russia was a hostile act.
According to the Guardian, Cyprus, Malta and Hungary have not expelled Russian diplomats since February.
The expulsion of diplomats shines light on Russian espionage.
Russia's expulsion of Italian diplomats was a hostile act.
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