Baltic States-Russia, Diplomatic Expulsions 'Face-off'

Published 29 Mar.2022 18:55(KST)

In December last year, troops and equipment participating in NATO's winter exercise 'Winter Shield 2021' were mobilizing in Adazi, Latvia. <br>[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

In December last year, troops and equipment participating in NATO's winter exercise 'Winter Shield 2021' were mobilizing in Adazi, Latvia.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Russia has begun expelling diplomats from the so-called Baltic States?Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.

On the 29th (local time), Russian news agency TASS reported, citing sources, that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassadors of the Baltic States stationed in Russia and notified them of the expulsion of some diplomats. This appears to be a retaliatory measure following the Baltic States' earlier expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats stationed in their countries. On the 18th, Lithuania expelled four Russian diplomats, while Latvia and Estonia each expelled three on the same day.

The Baltic States, which were once part of the former Soviet Union along with Ukraine, successfully gained independence following the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991 and have since shown a trend of close alignment with the West. In 2004, they joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU).

Recently, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, concerns have grown in these countries that they could be Russia's next targets, increasing security anxieties. In response, the Baltic States have been sending weapons to support Ukraine and urging the permanent stationing of NATO troops to strengthen their security. Currently, NATO is deploying combat forces to the Baltic States and Poland in preparation for threats from Russia.