Greece hits back at Russian remarks on expulsion of diplomats

After Russia’s foreign ministry reportedly accused Athens of not communicating with Russian authorities, the foreign ministry said in a statement that it had presented Moscow with the evidence upon which it had acted.

It added that the Russian authorities “are very well aware of what their people do” and said they seemed “to want to legitimise these illegal actions”.

“The constant disrespect for Greece must stop. No one can or has the right to interfere in Greece’s domestic affairs,” the statement said. The reported remarks by Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, showed “a lack of understanding of today’s world, in which states, regardless of their size, are independent and can exercise an independent, multidimensional and democratic foreign policy,” it added.

Athens expelled the two Russian diplomats and barred two other people from entering the country last week, accusing them of trying to bribe unidentified officials and foment demonstrations to thwart a deal to allow Macedonia to join NATO.

The issue is sensitive in Greece, where political stability is pivotal as the country emerges from a huge debt crisis. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ fragile left-right coalition recently lost two lawmakers who quit after the Macedonia accord, bringing his parliamentary majority to 152 out of a total of 300 seats.

Moscow has denied wrongdoing.

Following the incident, Greece said that it still seeks good relations with Russia, but the case has soured relations between the two countries, which have religious and cultural links spanning centuries.

Russia’s ambassador to Athens was reported as saying on Thursday that the timing of a planned visit to Greece by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in September was no longer suitable.