"On August 6, Greek Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in Russia Andreas Fryganas was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he was presented with a note informing [Greece] of the retaliatory measures taken by the Russian side in response to Athens' unfriendly actions toward Russian diplomats and nationals in July this year," the ministry said in a statement.
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Explaining the decision over the Russian diplomats, Athens stated they intended to thwart a deal between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece, which would allow Macedonia to join NATO.A decades-long conflict between Greece and Macedonia was settled this June, after Skopje decided to change the name of the country.
Addressing the row, Moscow deemed the expulsion to be a "provocation" and pledged to respond reciprocally to Greece's move.