Sofia's politicized decision will certainly not remain without a bilateral response, said the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova. She commented that the expulsion of diplomats from Bulgaria "far exceeded diplomatic practice", and called on Sofia and the EU to "reflect on the principle of reciprocity".

"The EU must understand that the thoughtless support for anti-Russian actions by individual member states places the responsibility for their consequences on the entire EU, including from the point of view of retaliatory measures from our side," Zakharova said.