Russia announces 'reciprocal' expulsion of more than 20 German diplomats - RIA

FILE PHOTO: The national flag of Russia flies atop the Russian embassy, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Berlin, Germany, April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

MOSCOW/BERLIN (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday that Moscow was expelling more than 20 German diplomats, the RIA Novosti news agency said, as Berlin said some Russian diplomats had left Germany.

A German Foreign Ministry official said Berlin and Moscow had been in contact about their respective representations in the last few weeks with the aim of reducing Russia's intelligence presence in Germany.