On Monday, May 24, Belarus and Latvia announced the expulsion of diplomats, Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.
On Monday, May 24, Latvian Ambassador to Belarus Einārs Semanis was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus where he was notified of the decision ordering diplomats from the Embassy of Latvia in Minsk to leave the country.
In response, Latvia also ordered the expulsion of Belorussian diplomats.
“In response to the actions taken by Belarus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia has summoned the Chargé d’ Affaires of Belarus to inform her of reciprocal measures including the expulsion of Belarusian diplomats until a time when the relationship returns to normal,” Latvian Foreign Ministry reports.
The Ambassador of Latvia to Belarus, Einārs Semanis, is to leave Belarus within 24 hours, while other diplomats are given 48 hours. According to the Foreign Ministry of Latvia, only one administrative staff member will remain at the Embassy to go on with the work.