UPDATE - Greece declares 12 Russian diplomats persona non grata

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM RUSSIAN EMBASSY, CHANGES DECK, REVISES THROUGHOUT

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - Greece on Wednesday declared 12 members of Russia's diplomatic and consular missions in the country persona non grata.

The decision was taken in line with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention for Consular Relations, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In a statement following the move, the Russian Embassy in Athens warned that there would be consequences.

"We have strongly protested against this unjustified and hostile step which aims to further destroy our bilateral relations," the embassy said in a statement.

It added: "We made clear that this action will not remain without consequences."

Ambassador Andrey Maslov was called upon to the Greek Foreign Ministry to be notified.

Several European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, have expelled Russian diplomats in recent days, in response to Russia's war on Ukraine.