Russia lists US, Czech Republic as 'unfriendly states'

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate in Moscow, Russia, April 22, 2021. /AP

The Russian government on Friday added the United States and the Czech Republic onto its list of "unfriendly" states.

According to Reuters, U.S. diplomatic missions could no longer employ local staff while Czech missions could employ a maximum of 19.

The move comes amid an escalating diplomatic row between Russia and several European countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law last month to limit the number of local staff working at foreign diplomatic missions and other agencies. He ordered the government to draw up a list of "unfriendly" states that will be subject to the restrictions.

Following that announcement, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said "naturally, the U.S. is on this list."