RUSSIA PLACES U.S., CZECH REPUBLIC IN LIST OF ‘UNFRIENDLY’ STATES

The Russian government has put the United States and the Czech Republic on a new list of "unfriendly foreign states" that was published in Moscow, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

The classification translates into restrictions on the diplomatic missions of both countries, for example concerning the employment of staffers holding Russian passports.

The list does not include other countries. It was compiled on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. The Czech Republic is still allowed to employ 19 Russian citizens, according to the list, while the US may not employ any Russians. Previously, the Russian Foreign Ministry had imposed sanctions on both countries' missions, amid a spate of tit-for-tat expulsions.

In April, the US expelled 10 Russian diplomats and imposed sanctions as punishment for Moscow's interference in last year's presidential election and for hacker attacks. The Czech Republic, meanwhile, blamed Russian intelligence services for explosions at an ammunition depot in 2014, and expelled 18 diplomats.

Moscow has denied all the accusations. Russia's Foreign Ministry justified its ban on employing Russians in foreign missions by saying they could be recruited to work in other states' intelligence services. Many Russians, however, are attracted by the prospect of higher earnings at Western embassies compared to the other jobs that are available nationwide.

WEEKLY FEATURE : TRUEMONEY PHILIPPINES BUCKS THE COVID-19 CHALLENGE