The Danish request for a reduction in Russian diplomatic personnel causes Moscow to ‘draw conclusions’

On friday The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Russian Ambassador, Vladimir Barbin, that the staffing at the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen must be reduced to match the level of the Danish Embassy in Moscow.

Specifically, this means a cap of 5 diplomats and 20 administrative and technical personnel at the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen.

But that message has not been well received by the Russians:

-“We consider the Danish authorities’ demand that the diplomatic personnel of the Russian embassy in Copenhagen be reduced from 15 to 5 another manifestation of the Danish leadership’s hostile position toward our country”, says Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova according to the russian newsagency TASS and continues:

-“Naturally, some conclusions will be drawn here”.

The reduction must be completed by no later than September 29th.