MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow regrets Tirana's decision to expel a Russian diplomat and will provide a response to this unfriendly move, seen as a provocation aimed at damaging the bilateral ties, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Friday.

"We regret this a lot, as this is obĺlĺviously a provocation aimed against the Russian-Albanian relations. Of course, this unfriendly step will not be left without a response," Grushko said.

On Thursday, Albania declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata, urging him to leave the country within 72 hours.

The country's foreign ministry said it had contacted Russian Ambassador to Tirana Mikhail Afanasyev expressing concern about the continuing violations of measures to combat COVID-19 by the diplomat of the Russian embassy.

At the same time, Tirana expressed hope that this decision would be perceived by Moscow as a compulsory measure to protect the health, and also assured the Russian side of friendly feelings and readiness for constant improvement of relations between the countries.