EU and NATO support Bulgaria's decision to expel 70 Russian diplomats

The EU and NATO support Bulgaria's decision to expel 70 Russian diplomats from Sofia and express their solidarity with Bulgaria.

The European External Action Service said in a statement that the European Union regrets the Russian Federation's unjustified threat to sever diplomatic relations with Bulgaria in response to Bulgaria's decision, which is in full compliance with international law, to expel 70 Russian embassy staff who acted in breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The European Union expresses its full support and solidarity with Bulgaria in these circumstances and will follow the situation closely. Such a disproportionate step on Russia's part would only serve to further isolate it internationally, Josep Borrell's office said.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu also said Bulgaria's decision to expel 70 Russian officials as foreign agents was sovereign and should be respected.

"NATO allies strongly condemn Russia's longstanding defiant behaviour and its attempts to interfere in democratic processes and institutions and threaten the security of our citizens," NATO said in a statement. The Alliance expresses its solidarity with Bulgaria.

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