Russia expels Estonia envoy after Tallinn downgraded diplomatic ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Jan 14:09

The Russian Foreign Ministry says the Estonian Ambassador has until February 7 to leave the country.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow

Russia ordered the Estonian Ambassador to Moscow, Margus Laidre, to leave the country by February 7 in response to in connection Tallinn's actions of demanding the lowering of Russia's diplomatic representation in the country.

"On January 23, Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. He received a strong protest in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities. The Estonian ambassador should leave Russia on February 7, 2023," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

On January 11, Estonia announced that it had requested that Moscow lowers its embassy staff number to 8 starting February 7.

"On January 23, Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. He received a strong protest in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities. The Estonian ambassador should leave Russia on February 7, 2023," the Estonian Foreign Ministry said in a statement then

Russia's Embassy commented on Tallin's decision, saying that it [embassy] "does not promote Estonian-Russian relations," and therefore there are "no grounds" for the embassy to operate in its current level of diplomatic representation.