Russia downgrades diplomatic relations with Estonia and expels ambassador, citing ‘Russophobia’
Source: Russian Foreign Ministry
Russia is downgrading its diplomatic ties with Estonia, replacing the country’s ambassador with a chargé d'affaires. The Estonian ambassador is required to leave Moscow by February 7.
According to an official announcement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, the move is a response to Estonia’s recent staff reduction at the Russian Embassy in Tallinn in which it required Russia to reduce the number of diplomats serving there from 17 to eight, the number of Estonian diplomats in Moscow.
The ministry’s statement also accused Estonia of “total Russophobia” and “cultivating hostility” towards Russia on a policy level.