Russia declares Estonian diplomat persona non grata

Russia announced that it has decided to declare a diplomat working at the Estonian Embassy in Moscow “persona non grata”.

In a written statement made by the Russian Foreign Ministry, it was recalled that Estonia decided to declare a Russian diplomat persona non grata on March 24. In the statement, which noted that the decision in question was “unfounded” and that the Charge d’Affaires of the Estonian Embassy in Moscow, Yana Vanamelder, was summoned to the ministry, it was stated that, “Due to reciprocity, a diplomat who works at the same level at the Estonian Embassy in Moscow should leave Russia at the same time,” the statements were included.

In the statement, which states that the Estonian administration took provocative actions against Russia and that other measures will be taken against this, it was emphasized that Tallinn is responsible for the deterioration of bilateral relations.

GROWING DIPLOMATIC CRISIS

On January 11, the Estonian Foreign Ministry requested Russia to reduce the number of diplomatic personnel in the country to 8 by February 1. In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry requested the Estonian ambassador to Moscow, Margus Laidre, to leave the country on January 23.

In addition, St. Petersburg consul Mart Latte was detained and deported last year for “providing confidential information.” (AA)