MOSCOW

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Brussels' decision to reduce the staff of the Russian mission to the EU is "discriminatory and unlawful."

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, she stated that the demand violates the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and will not be met without an appropriate response from Moscow.

"We, of course, regard this measure as discriminatory. It is a direct violation of Article 7 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," she stated.

According to her, the EU's foreign policy service informed Moscow that it intends to reduce the Russian mission to the EU to 40 people, including diplomats and technical personnel.

"Since Westerners have embarked on a course to destroy international law, to finish it off, this can also be characterized as another step in this destructive and, in essence, self-destructive direction for them. Yes, all these actions will not be left without a proper response from our side," she said.

When asked about reports of alleged Russian-American negotiations in Geneva on a new nuclear arms control treaty, Zakharova dismissed them as "fake."

She said that on the sidelines of the Geneva Conference on Disarmament, only routine diplomatic contacts took place between Russian and US officials, which were the Russian side's response to the American request "to hear them out."

"At the same time, nothing fundamentally new was said. Attempts to describe this meeting, which did not go beyond maintaining routine diplomatic contacts, as some kind of negotiation are completely detached from reality," Zakharova noted.

Turning to the US-Iran tensions, the spokeswoman said Russia will continue to develop its comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran and remains alongside its Iranian friends during this difficult period for them.

"We see the unceasing threats against Tehran, the saber-rattling, the intimidation, and Washington's irresponsible escalation of regional tensions."

The diplomat recalled that from Feb. 16 to 18, the 19th session of the permanent Russian-Iranian commission on trade and economic cooperation took place in the Iranian capital.

"The events held in Tehran once again convincingly confirmed that Russia is alongside its Iranian friends during this difficult period for them," she said.

As for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, Moscow is closely monitoring the situation, and we advocate for their immediate release from custody, she said.