Expulsion of Russian diplomats from EU not ruled out - Russian envoy to EU

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Russia does not rule out the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the countries of the European Union, Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said on Monday.

"I am afraid that it cannot be fully ruled out, bearing in mind that such things have already happened in some EU countries," he said on Rossiya 24 (VGTRK) television, responding to a question from a journalist.

"But we will see. Eventually, decisions on this matter are made by [EU] member countries. Of course, the European solidarity factor may play [a role], but I hope that common sense will still prevail because diplomatic communication channels need to stay open and working no matter what happens," Chizhov said.