Moscow gave the Latvian ambassador two weeks to leave Russia

Moscow said on Friday that Latvia’s ambassador had been given two weeks to leave Russia, accusing the Baltic country and EU member of “total Russophobia”.

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

Estonia retaliated by asking the Russian ambassador to leave Tallinn, and in a show of solidarity, Latvia on Monday also ordered the Russian ambassador to leave Tallinn and said it was worsening diplomatic relations.

“Ambassador of Latvia Maris Riekstyns has been ordered to leave the Russian Federation for two weeks,” the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said in a statement on Friday.

Latvia’s decision to worsen relations “will have consequences”, the ministry added.

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

Tensions between Russia and its European neighbors have escalated since President Vladimir Putin sent Russian troops into Ukraine on February 24 last year.

The Baltic state of Lithuania worsened its diplomatic relations with Russia back in April in response to the atrocities committed by the occupying Russian troops in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.