Latvia has decided to downgrade diplomatic representation in Russia. Latvia’s ambassador to Russia Māris Riekstiņš is ordered to leave the country by the 24th of February, as reported by Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Just recently Russia has expelled Estonia’s ambassador and has downgraded diplomatic representation in this country. According to Rinkēvičs, because Russia’s aggression in Ukraine still continues, as well as to stress solidarity with Estonia, Latvia has decided to
downgrade diplomatic representation level in Russia and has requested Russia to do the same.
According to the minister’s advisor Mārtiņš Drēģeris, Russian ambassador to Latvia is was summoned to Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, the 23rd of January. There the diplomat was informed of the aforementioned decision to downgrade diplomatic representation.
On the 11th of January Estonia informed Russia’s ambassador Vladimir Lipayev of the decision for Russia to reduce the number of staff at the Russian embassy to eight diplomats and 15 administrative, technical and other workers by the 1st of February. The goal of this decision is ensuring an equal number of workers in diplomatic representation of Russia and Estonia in Tallinn and Moscow.
Also read: Russia to expel Estonian ambassador