MOSCOW

In a retaliatory move, Russia on Thursday declared two Latvian diplomats persona non grata.

The Foreign Ministry in a statement said it summoned Latvian charge d'affaires Dace Rutka and conveyed a strong protest over the expulsion of two diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Riga.

"Based on the principle of reciprocity, as well as in accordance with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, two diplomats of the Latvian Embassy are being expelled from Russia," it said.

Latvia was also informed that if it continues "hostile" actions against Russian diplomats, Moscow will "inevitably take other painful steps for Riga," the ministry added.