Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis considers the presence of Russian ambassadors in the EU countries senseless and suggested that the leadership of these states send Russian ambassadors, writes Delfi.
“It makes no sense to have an ambassador, a Russian ambassador, in any European capital. In most cases, this is no longer a diplomatic institution, but a propaganda institution that covers up war crimes and generally promotes a genocide program,” Landsbergis said.
In my country blocked
present tense
He also recalled that Lithuania expelled the Russian ambassador back in the spring of 2022, in response to the killings of civilians in Bucha, and in January Estonia and Latvia announced the expulsion of Russian ambassadors.
“I do not rule out that even more countries, having seen what is happening in Ukraine, will be able to make sure that this is the right way,” Landsbergis stressed.
On January 27, the Russian Foreign Ministry ordered the Latvian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Maris Riekstins, to leave the country within two weeks, according to the website of the Foreign Ministry. This decision, as specified in the Russian Foreign Ministry, is connected with “the decision of the leadership of Latvia to lower the level of Russian-Latvian diplomatic relations.”
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the level of the Estonian diplomatic mission in the country was downgraded to charge d’affaires. Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre, who was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, was protested “in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities.” The diplomat must leave Russia on February 7, 2023.
In the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to this declaredthat adhere to the principle of parity in relations with Russia, which means that the Russian ambassador will leave the country at the same time as the Estonian ambassador to Russia. As a sign of solidarity with Estonia, Latvia announced a downgrading of diplomatic relations with Russia.
