ATHENS  – The expulsion of 12 diplomats under European Union sanctions for the invasion of Ukraine will likely draw a response against Greece, the Russian Embassy warned.

“We have strongly protested against this unjustified and hostile step which aims to further destroy our bilateral relations,” the embassy said in a statement. “We made clear that this action will not remain without consequences,” it said, reported Kathimerini, unclear what that would be.

The statement indicated that Russian Ambassador Andrey Maslov was summoned to the Greek Foreign Ministry to be notified of the decision to boot the diplomats, who weren’t named.

The EU is stepping up punishment for Russia over the invasion in the wake of reports of atrocities and citizens tortured, butchered and killed indiscriminately by Russian forces in attacks.

Greece’s Foreign Ministry said the decision was made in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.