Tensions between Athens and Moscow spike in ongoing diplomatic spat

Tensions between Athens and Moscow over a diplomatic spat escalated further on Friday when the Greek Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement in response to Russia's decision to expel two Greek Embassy staff from Moscow, calling it an "arbitrary" and "retaliatory" move and accusing Moscow of being Turkey's "comrade in arms." 

Noting that Greece's decision to expel two Russian diplomats from Athens in July had been based on "specific evidence of illegal and irregular activities of Russian officials and citizens within Greece," the ministry said Russia's move had no such evidence to back it up.

Greece is a "peace-loving country with a multidimensional, independent democratic foreign policy," the ministry said in the statement titled "Putting national interest first: Soberly and firmly."

The country is a "sovereign state" which "demands respect and...

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