Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law Friday a restriction that would limit staff in embassies, consulates, and agencies in "unfriendly" countries.

According to the Kremlin's website, the restrictions will occur in "state bodies and state institutions of foreign states committing unfriendly acts against the Russian Federation."

The law comes amidst growing controversy with Russia in Europe, including the Russian military amassing forces at the Ukrainian border. Russia and the Czech Republic recently dismissed diplomats following accusations that Moscow played a role in an explosion at an arms depot that happened in 2014 in Vrbětice in the Zlín District of the Czech Republic. 

The United States has since sanctioned Russia over "malign" actions and has cast out ten diplomats, which Washington claims were intelligence agents. Russia responded by expelling unnamed American diplomats, according to The Hill.

President Joe Biden imposed sanctions last week but said he did not intend to escalate tension. The measures, according to a report, were designed to thaw tensions between the two nations.

The Kremlin has denied that it meddled in U.S. elections or was responsible for a cyberattack against U.S. tech company SolarWinds Corp. 

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