Latvia has expelled a Russian Embassy staff member, designating him as an undesirable person and ordering his departure by April 10.
This action was announced after Latvia’s Foreign Ministry cited the embassy’s continued engagement in what it described as provocative and unacceptable public statements designed to undermine the nation’s institutions and foster societal discord.
Despite warnings, the embassy’s misleading communications persisted, prompting Latvia to take action.
In response, a spokesperson from the Russian Foreign Ministry assured that Russia would retaliate appropriately to the expulsion. This decision was made by Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins.
Earlier this month, Latvia’s immigration authority, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), ordered six Russian citizens to leave the country.
The orders targeted those who failed to apply for a Latvian residence permit, with two of them already having departed the country, according to a report by Latvia’s public broadcaster LSM.
Maira Roze, the head of PMLP, shared on the “Morning Panorama” program that out of 1,017 Russians who have not met the legal prerequisites for residency, only these actions have been taken so far, and the situation is continually evolving.
The remaining four citizens who have been instructed to leave Latvia have been given a month to comply.