This came as a reaction to a position by the Russian embassy in Sofia that it was unacceptable for officials, regardless of their rank, to criticise an ambassador. 

The prime minister's criticism came after a media appearance by Moscow's ambassador in Sofia Eleonora Mitrofanova, in which she used derogatory language towards Bulgarians and the Bulgarian government. Kiril Petkov announced then that a diplomatic response would follow. 

No Bulgarian citizen would take it lightly when a foreign diplomat insults them and their government, Petkov said, adding that the cabinet strongly condemns the behaviour of ambassador Mitrofanova.