Russia's ambassador to Australia, Grigory Logvinov, says he is disappointed in the deterioration in ties between Australia and Russia.
He says Russia will be retaliating over a decision by Australia to expel two Russian diplomats they have called undeclared spies.
The pair have been given six days to leave the country.
Mr Logvinov says he hopes bilateral ties will survive this incident.
"My best wish is that what is happening won't cause serious damage to our relations because we have spent quite serious efforts together with Australian colleagues within the last two years to gain some positive momentum. This positive development is very limited but still some substantial. I don't wish we would lose it."
Australia is one of 27 nations who have expelled Russian diplomats over the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian double agent in Britain.
Meanwhile, Grigory Logvinov refused to go into details but said Russia had agreed not to "make any noise" about it.
"We have a bad history of improper behaviour of Australian authorities ... it happened in 2016, it happened in 2017," Mr Logvinov told reporters on Wednesday.
