UPDATE - Russia expels Estonian ambassador, downgrades diplomatic ties

UPDATES HEADLINE, DECK; ADDS RESPONSE FROM ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia on Monday downgraded its diplomatic relations with Estonia to the level of charge d’affaires and expelled its ambassador, in response to the Baltic nation's decision to reduce staff levels at the Russian Embassy in Tallinn.

“In recent years, the Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia. Total Russophobia and the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by Tallinn to the rank of state policy,” a Foreign Ministry statement read.

Estonia’s recent step to reduce the size of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn “confirmed the line towards the collapse of relations between our countries,” it said.

“As a response, the Russian side decided to downgrade the diplomatic representative in both countries to charge d’affaires ad interim."

It said Estonia’s Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where he received “a strong protest in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities.” Laidre should leave Russia by Feb. 7.

“All responsibility for the development of such a situation in relations between Russia and Estonia lies entirely with the Estonian side. We will continue to react to the hostile steps of the Estonian leadership,” the statement said.

Responding to Russia's decision, Estonia said it will also expel the Russian ambassador based on the "principle of parity."

"Estonia takes note of today’s decision by Russia to reduce diplomatic presence to the level of charge d’affaires. We stand by the principle of parity in relations with Russia, which means that the Russian ambassador will leave at the same time as the Estonian ambassador to Russia," the Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.

Estonia, a former Soviet republic and current EU and NATO member, has had difficult relations with Russia for years. It has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine during Russia’s war.