Russia and Spain were in a diplomatic tit-for-tat Tuesday with each country expelling the others' diplomats over allegations of espionage, DPA reported.
Spain made the first move, expelling two Russian diplomats after the Spanish secret service CNI provided information alleging that the two had been spying on Spanish interests.
Russia responded later in the day, announcing the expulsion of two Spanish diplomats, the Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed Tuesday.
Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez is now scheduled to travel to Moscow on January 16 to try to smooth over the matter in a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, announced Spain's Foreign Ministry Tuesday.
The spat is seen as one of the most serious between the two countries since Spain opened diplomatic ties in 1977 with what was then the Soviet Union. Moscow is also in the midst of a similar dispute with Britain.
However, there is more pressure to restore relations between Russia and Spain, given that 2011 is supposed to be the year of Spain in Russia, with celebrations focusing around a series of cultural events and a planned visit by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.
Russia and Spain expel diplomats in spying stand-off
Russia and Spain were in a diplomatic tit-for-tat Tuesday with each country expelling the others' diplomats over allegations of espionage.
