(Reuters) -Belarus, one of Russia’s closest allies, denounced a decision by the Czech Republic to expel one of its diplomats, branding it on Tuesday as groundless and unfriendly.

The Belarusian announcement coincided with a statement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that authorities in Warsaw had arrested a Belarusian spy and would expel a diplomat who “supported the aggressive action of the Belarusian state against Poland”.

Tusk also said that Poland was closing its border with Belarus on Thursday as a result of Russia-led military exercises taking place in Belarus.

“Belarus firmly denounces the decision of the Czech side to declare a member of the Belarusian embassy in Prague persona non grata,” the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“This step is groundless and pol

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