Sofia declares 70 Russian diplomats personae non-gratae

The outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov announced that Bulgaria was expelling 70 Russian diplomats and specified that this was done thanks to the Services. In Petkov's words, anyone working for foreign interests will be asked to return to the country they came from.

According to Kiril Petkov, most of these people worked directly for foreign services and their diplomatic role was a cover. "When foreign governments attempt to interfere in Bulgaria's internal affairs, we will clearly counteract," the outgoing prime minister added.

Russia's Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova was summoned today to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she was handed a note for the expulsion of the 70 Russian diplomats from the Russian mission in Sofia. They have to leave Bulgaria by 3 July, the Foreign Ministry said. /BGNES