Four countries are expelling Russian diplomats because of their malicious activities. This decision was made by the Baltic States and Bulgaria.
“Today, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian Ambassador and handed over a diplomatic note that three employees of the Russian embassy with diplomatic status were declared persona non grata”. - the message says. Russian diplomats must leave the country within 72 hours.
Vice-Chancellor for Political Affairs Rein Tammsaar stressed that the activities of these diplomats violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations - all three directly and actively undermine the security of Estonia and spread propaganda justifying the military actions of the Russian Federation.
In a conversation with the Russian Ambassador, Tammsaar recalled that Estonia supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will use all measures to continue this support..
“By continuing large-scale military operations against Ukraine, Russia flagrantly violates international law and its international obligations.. Estonia urges Russia to comply with the resolution of the UN General Assembly of March 2, 2022 and the decision of the International Court of Justice of March 16, 2022. Russia must immediately stop the war against the Ukrainian state and people and withdraw troops from Ukraine,” the diplomatic mission concluded..
In turn, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics stressed that the decision to expel three Russian diplomats from the country was made as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine in its struggle against Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression..
“The current activity of these persons under diplomatic cover is incompatible with their diplomatic status and is detrimental to the Republic of Latvia,” the ministry said..
Latvia strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and demands an immediate cessation of military aggression, the implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice of March 16 and a return to compliance with the requirements of international law.
Rinkevics handed a note to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Mikhail Vanin, the expelled diplomats must leave the country by 23:59 on March 23.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania reported that four Russian diplomats were to leave the country.
The Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Lithuania Aleksey Isakov and handed him a diplomatic note declaring four employees of the Russian embassy persona non grata in Lithuania for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status..
Lithuania made this decision as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, which was subjected to unprecedented Russian military aggression.. Vilnius condemned the military invasion of the Russian Federation and expressed full support for Ukraine.
Russian aggression threatens not only our country, but also Lithuania, the diplomatic department noted.
“Russian attacks on the civilian population, civilian facilities, hospitals, schools, maternity hospitals and cultural facilities are war crimes and crimes against humanity.. Lithuania calls on Russia to respect international law, renounce the terrible war and subsequent suffering of the civilian population, and withdraw its occupying forces from all over Ukraine,” the diplomats added..