“The German government has made a decision on a new massive expulsion of employees of Russian diplomatic missions in Germany … We strongly condemn these actions of Berlin that continues to defiantly destroy the foundations of the Russian-German relations, including their diplomatic dimension,” the ministry stated.

The Russian side announced reciprocal measures, expelling German diplomats from Russia, while also deciding to cut the maximum size of the German missions in Russia, the ministry added.

“As a response to Berlin’s hostile actions, the Russian side has taken a decision on a ‘mirror’ expulsion of German diplomats from Russia as well as on a substantial reduction of a maximum number of employees of German diplomatic missions in our country. German ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr was informed about it during the discussion in the Russian foreign ministry on April 5, 2023,” the statement said.

The Russian ministry stated that despite assurances given by Germany that the expulsion would not be publicised, Berlin leaked the information to the media.

In late March, German media reported that that the German foreign ministry planned to expel more than 30 Russian diplomats accredited in Berlin.

In April 2022, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock declared 40 Russian diplomats personae non grata, with Russia expelling 40 German diplomats in a tit-for-tat response to Berlin.