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Moscow gives Latvian envoy two weeks to leave Russia

Latvia reinstates mandatory military service for men
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Moscow said on Friday that Latvia’s ambassador had two weeks to leave Russia, accusing the EU Baltic country of “total Russophobia”.

The latest expulsion comes after Russia on Monday downgraded diplomatic relations with Estonia and ordered its ambassador to leave the country, having made the same accusation against Tallinn.

Estonia retaliated, asking the Russian ambassador to leave Tallinn, and in solidarity, Latvia on Monday also ordered the Russian ambassador to leave and said it was downgrading diplomatic ties.

“Latvia’s ambassador Maris Riekstins was ordered to leave the Russian Federation within two weeks,” the foreign ministry in Moscow said in a statement Friday.

Latvia’s decision to downgrade ties would “have consequences”, the ministry added.

Moscow accused both Baltic countries of “total Russophobia” and taking “hostile steps against Russia”.

Tensions between Russia and its European neighbours have spiked after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24 last year.

Fellow Baltic state Lithuania downgraded its diplomatic relations with Russia in April in response to atrocities discovered in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

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AFP

Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a French international news agency headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1835 as Havas, it is the world's oldest news agency.







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