Due to the decision of the Latvian government to downplay diplomatic ties with Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that Latvian Ambassador Maris Riekstins should depart Russia within two weeks.

The Russian ambassador, Mikhail Vanin, should depart the country prior to February 24, according to Latvia's foreign minister, Edgars Rinkevics, who made the announcement on Monday. Dace Rutka, the Latvian charge d'affaires, was called into the Russian foreign ministry on Friday.

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"It was stated to the Latvian Charge d'affaires that since a fundamental decision has been made, we do not consider it necessary to wait until the date indicated by Riga for the ambassadors to complete their missions. Latvian Ambassador Riekstins has been ordered to leave Russia within two weeks," the statement said.

Additionally, the ministry said in the statement that Russia does not believe that this action is justified by "solidarity" with other Baltic states and that Latvian leadership is solely to blame for the current state of affairs.

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