23 Jan 2023 13:09

Russia to downgrade its diplomatic rep in Estonia to charge d'affaires ad interim - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Russia is downgrading diplomatic relations with Estonia in a reciprocal move, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Estonia has taken yet another unfriendly step to drastically cap personnel of the Russian embassy in Tallinn, which testifies to the course towards ruining relations between our countries. In reciprocation, the Russian side has decided to downgrade the level of diplomatic representatives in both countries to charge d'affaires ad interim," the ministry said.

Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on January 23 and a strong protest against actions of the Estonian authorities was expressed, it said.

"The ambassador to the Estonian Republic shall leave the Russian Federation before February 7, 2023," the ministry said.