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The expelled diplomats had the diplomatic rank granted by the Foreign Ministry and both were engaged in intelligence-related activities, Landberg noted.
Latvia and Estonia are also sending an intelligence worker under diplomatic cover.
“We have clear arguments”
“I spoke with more ministers about the ongoing discussions. Some of them informed me about the start of discussions in other countries and the expectation that they can join the actions of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia,” said the Minister at the press conference. .
Landsberg said he expected a proportionate Russian response.
Landsberg: My position is that there should be fewer undercover Russian intelligence workers in the European Union.
“Although we do not support such action and we have clear arguments as to why we did it, it is likely that Russia’s response could be like this.
If Russia takes a tougher response than usual, that is, if it reacts disproportionately, Lithuania reserves the right to raise another protest, ”said the head of the Foreign Ministry.
“My position is that there should be fewer undercover Russian intelligence workers in the European Union. Now Czech colleagues have drawn attention to unprecedented cases,” the minister said.
“It was necessary to do it”
Laurynas Jonavičius, a professor at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University, called Vilnius’s decision to send two Russian embassy employees “consistent.”
“If this had not been done, then I would think there would be a lot of questions about our foreign policy and all the stated principles,” said L. Jonavičius.
Photo by Vidmantas Balkūnas / 15min / Laurynas Jonavičius
He agreed that perhaps not all EU and NATO members would follow the example of the Baltic countries, but added: “If we had not done so, all the arguments that were made to us previously for unity and support would have been in vain. We had to do what we did, ”said the analyst.
“I am satisfied with this decision of the Minister. We already approved a political declaration of solidarity with the Czech Republic in the committee on Wednesday, in which we identified Russia as a state that encourages terrorist acts.
This step of the ministry is supportive not only at the political level, but also through action. I sincerely welcome this and hope that other allies will join us. ” 15 minutes said the chairman of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee, the conservative Žygimantas Pavilionis.
Žygimantas Gedvila / 15min photo / Žygimantas Pavilionis
He does not rule out that Russia may respond by sending more personnel from the Lithuanian Embassy in Moscow. It is normal for the Kremlin.
“Russia’s response is always asymmetrical and provocative. Each country decides according to its own situation,” said Ž.Pavilionis.
However, Leonid Sluckis, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma, said on Friday that Moscow’s response to the decision by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to send Russian diplomats would be “swift and proportionate.”
The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Moscow has expressed its willingness to assist the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Russia in the performance of those functions that could be interrupted if Moscow orders a drastic reduction in the number of employees, the Foreign Ministry said. it’s a statement.
Passions for blowing up warehouses
Last week, Prague accused Russian military intelligence (GRU) of an attack involving two victims at a munitions depot in the country in 2014.
Eighteen Russian diplomats, identified by Czech intelligence as spies, left their posts on Monday. Russia responded by sending 20 Czech diplomats to work in Moscow.
The Czech Republic announced Thursday that 63 Russian embassy employees would have to leave the country by the end of May.
Slovakia also expressed its solidarity with the Czech Republic by sending three Russian diplomats.
Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger said the country had made such a decision “after the recent events in the Czech Republic and after a thorough assessment of the information provided by our intelligence services, who work closely with our services. intelligence allies. “
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