France has decided to expel 35 Russian diplomatic staff, echoing a similar action taken by Germany, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Iran PressEurope: France on Monday announced its decision to expel "many Russian diplomats" hours after President Emmanuel Macron called for fresh sanctions in the light of alleged atrocities carried out by Russian forces in Bucha, near Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

France on Monday said it would expel 35 Russian diplomats as part of a joint European action after Moscow's operation in Ukraine."

France decided this evening to expel a number of Russian personnel with diplomatic status stationed in France whose activities are against our security interests," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

In this regard, Moscow said it will respond to France's decision to expel Russian diplomats, Interfax news agency reported on Monday, citing the Russian foreign ministry.

Also, the German government is declaring 40 Russian diplomats persona non grata or“undesirable persons”, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has said, an act that is tantamount to expulsion from the country. 219