Grushko stated to ‘Sputnik’: ‘We consider the official Brussels policy to reduce the Russian diplomatic presence on EU territory a discriminatory measure and a direct violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.’ The senior diplomat did not rule out that Brussels’ actions might remain without an appropriate response from Moscow.
The European Union had informed the Russian Foreign Ministry at the beginning of 2026 of its intention to limit the presence to 40 people, noting that this quota includes both diplomats and administrative and technical staff.
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, issued on April 18, 1961, is the fundamental international treaty that defines the standards of diplomatic law, rules for establishing relations, and privileges of missions. It guarantees the immunity of diplomatic mail and buildings, and defines the immunity of diplomats from the criminal and civil jurisdiction of the host state.
