INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia said Friday it was expelling 14 Bulgarian consular and embassy staff in response to Sofia's "unmotivated" decision to expel Russian
diplomatic personnel as tensions rage over Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.Multiple European countries have expelled Russian diplomats after
Moscow sent troops to Ukraine on Feb
24, with Russia responding in kind.Bulgaria in June said it was expelling 70 Russian diplomatic staff, the biggest number ordered out in
one-go from the Balkan nation.Sofia also announced the temporary closure of Russia's consulate general in Ruse in northern Bulgaria."We
would like to emphasize that the responsibility for the consequences of these counterproductive steps rests entirely with the government of
Bulgaria," the Russian Foreign Ministry said."We believe that such actions not only cause significant damage to traditional ties between our
but also testify to the further degradation of the collective West, which is ready to sacrifice the interests of partners in order to harm
Russia," it added.It said that the "unconditional adherence" of Bulgaria "to this destructive line is regrettable."
