Russia to suspend Nato diplomatic mission

Russia is suspending its diplomatic mission to Nato, according to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reports reuters.

In addition, staff at Nato's office in Moscow will be stripped of their accreditation by November.

It comes after Nato expelled eight diplomats from Russia's mission earlier this month, saying they were working as intelligence officers.

Relations between Nato and Russia have been strained since Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Mr Lavrov confirmed to Russian media that the move was "in response to Nato's actions", accusing the military alliance of not being "interested in equitable dialogue".

"If Nato members have any urgent matters, they can contact our ambassador in Belgium on these questions," Russian media quoted Mr Lavrov as saying.

Agencies