Baltic states expel Russian diplomats

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The Estonian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of three Russian diplomats on Friday, accusing them of "damaging the country's security and spreading propaganda."

"Estonia expels three diplomatic staff members of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn, who have violated the Vienna Convention. They have directly and actively undermined Estonia's security and spread propaganda justifying Russia's illegal warfare," the Ministry wrote on Twitter.

Latvia expels 3 employees of the Russian embassy 

Latvia has decided to dismiss three Russian Embassy personnel for alleged "actions that are contradictory to their diplomatic standing," according to Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics on Friday.

"#Latvia expells three Russian Embassy employees in connection with activities that are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in #Ukraine. The decision has been coordinated with #Lithuania and #Estonia," Rinkevics tweeted.

#Latvia expells three Russian Embassy employees in connection with activities that are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in #Ukraine. The decision has been coordinated with #Lithuania and #Estonia

— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) March 18, 2022

Lithuania declares Four Russian embassy staff persona non grata

Lithuania has declared four Russian Embassy staffers persona non grata for suspected conduct incompatible with a diplomat's status, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated on Friday.

"On 18 March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania summoned Russia's Ambassador to Lithuania Alexey Isakov and handed him a diplomatic note, declaring four employees of the Russian Embassy as undesirable persons in Lithuania for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status, as well as ordering them to leave Lithuania within five days," the statement read.

Earlier, the US designated 12 people from the Russian mission as persona non grata, demanding they leave by March 7.

The US still believes in diplomacy as the only responsible and sustainable means by which to end the conflict, claimed the State Department. 

It added that the US can still engage with the Russian Federation through the State Department, Defense Department, and any other channel. 

The Russian envoy to the UN said the expulsion of Russian diplomats is "sad news" and yet another demonstration of "gross disrespect by the US of its obligations."