The media reported that Russia was preparing a move in response to the expulsion of 8 diplomats. It is possible that the Kremlin is assuming a complete cessation of Russia's mission to NATO.
Sources of the newspaper «Kommersant» say that at the moment Russia has already made a decision on some retaliatory measures. They will cover the Alliance's military liaison mission in Moscow, which operates under the auspices of the Belgian embassy.
All 13 diplomats of the military mission have diplomatic immunity. However, a Kommersant source says the number of military mission diplomats has been halved at least.
It is unknown at this time whether he will face such restrictions from the NATO Information Office in the Russian capital. Since 2015, no one has replaced Polish diplomat Robert Pschel as head of the Bureau. However, sources say, Russia may close its mission in the Alliance on its own initiative.
«If NATO does not come to its senses, it may well come to the point of closing our permanent representation there,» the source said.
This development took place after NATO expelled eight Russian diplomats due to Russia's hostility policy.
By the end of October this year, diplomats are required to leave Brussels. Thus, the Russian mission will consist of ten diplomats.
Russia has said that due to the downsizing of the Russian mission, hopes for normalization of relations between the Kremlin and NATO remain diminished.
