Spain & Russia Expel Each Other's Diplomats

Spain has expelled two staff form Madrid's Russian Embasy for having "engaged in activities incompatible with their status," the Spanish foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the embassy was notified of the decision about a month ago.

In diplomatic language, the term is generally taken to mean that they were found to be involved in espionage.

Russia countered this move by expelling two Spanish diplomats from their Embassy in Moscow,as "retaliation", the ministry reported adding that "The two governments believe the incident is closed".

It also confirmed that the planned visit to Moscow by Spanish foreign minister Trinidad Jimenez in the new year would take still place as scheduled.