Russia summoned the Austrian ambassador over the expulsion of embassy staff from Vienna

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Austrian Ambassador to Moscow, Werner Almhofer, and a strong protest was made to him in connection with the expulsion of two Russian diplomats from Vienna. This is stated on the website of the Russian ministry.

In response to the expulsion, the Foreign Ministry declared the unnamed Austrian diplomat persona non grata. An employee of the Austrian Embassy must leave Russia by the end of the day on April 18.

Austria declared two Russian diplomats persona non grata on March 13. The country’s Foreign Ministry stated that this was done due to activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. This is usually what espionage under diplomatic cover is called in diplomatic language. Both Russians were supposed to leave the country by March 19.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the expulsion of Russians “further aggravates bilateral relations that are in crisis.” Austria is included by Russia in the list of so-called unfriendly states for sanctions imposed against Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.