
PARIS, France – France will expel ‘many Russian personnel with diplomatic status’, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday.
The decision concerns Russian diplomatic staff ‘assigned to France whose activities are contrary to our security interests’, the statement added.
The ministry statement said the decision is part of steps taken at the European level, adding, ‘Our first responsibility is always to ensure the safety of French people and Europeans’.
Earlier on Monday, Germany also decided to expel ‘a substantial number’ of Russian diplomats citing their work ‘as a threat’ to refugees in the country.