Tit-for-tat move
\n TALLINN
\nEstonia said on Monday that it would expel the Russian ambassador from Tallinn in retaliation for Moscow\u2019s expulsion of the Estonian ambassador.
\nTensions between Russia and its European neighbours have spiked since Moscow invaded Ukraine last year.
\n\u201cWe stand by the principle of parity in relations with Russia,\u201d the Estonian ministry of foreign affairs said in a tweet sent in English, adding that the Russian ambassador would have to depart at the same time as his Estonian counterpart, ordered by Moscow to leave on February 7.
\nRussia\u2019s foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Monday that it downgraded its diplomatic relations with Estonia, accusing the Baltic country of \u201ctotal Russophobia.\u201d
\nThe measures come after Estonia drastically reduced staff levels at Russia\u2019s embassy in Tallinn, Moscow\u2019s statement said.
\n\u201cRussia\u2019s steps will not deter us from providing continued support to Ukraine,\u201d Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said in a tweet following a tit-for-tat response from Tallin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tit-for-tat move TALLINN Estonia said on Monday that it would expel the Russian ambassador from Tallinn in retaliation for Moscow\u2019s expulsion of the Estonian ambassador. Tensions between Russia and its European neighbours have spiked since Moscow invaded Ukraine last year. \u201cWe stand by the principle of parity in relations with Russia,\u201d the Estonian ministry of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":309261,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-309242","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n