Latvia to close 2 Russian consulates, staff declared personae non grata

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) - The Latvian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it will close two Russian consulates and the staff has been asked to leave the country.

The ministry said the consulates in Daugavpils and Liepaja will be closed and the diplomatic staff of the consulates general are declared personae non grata.

It said the decision was made for the unwarranted and unjust military attack launched by Russia, as well as for solidarity with Ukraine in its fight in the war.

The statement noted that consulate generals in Daugavpils and Liepaja will not be allowed to work after April 30.

On Feb. 24, Russia launched a war against Ukraine, which has met international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,430 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,097 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.21 million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, according to the UN refugee agency.