Russia obliged Estonian ambassador Margus Laidre to leave the country by February 7, and also recalled its ambassador in Tallinn.
This is stated in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, published at noon on January 23.
Moscow said that Estonia "deliberately destroyed the entire complex of relations with Russia" and recently drastically reduced the composition of the Russian embassy.
"As a response, the Russian side made a decision to reduce the level of diplomatic representation in both countries to a temporary chargé d'affaires. On January 23, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre. They expressed a strong protest to him in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities. The Estonian ambassador needs to leave the Russian Federation on February 7, 2023," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said.
It will be recalled that in mid-January, Estonia decided to reduce the number of employees of the Russian embassy in Tallinn. From February 1, only eight diplomats (instead of 21) and 15 members of administrative, technical and service personnel (instead of 23) will be able to work in the country.
The former ambassador of Estonia and ex-minister of foreign affairs, now a member of the European Parliament, Marina Kaljurand called on the initiative of Estonia to recall the ambassador in Moscow and expel the Russian one, because this would be the right political signal.