Russian authorities on Thursday summoned Latvia’s ambassador to the country, Maris Riekstins, to deliver a note of protest against what Moscow considers «illegal actions» related to the removal of monuments dating back to the Soviet era.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it has conveyed its «strong protest» to the head of the Latvian diplomatic mission in the country over the «vandalism» the government has engaged in when dismantling the monuments.
In a statement, it has accused the Latvian government of creating «obstacles» to hinder the work of Russian cultural centers in Riga, the capital of the country, while trying to «expropriate» Russian property in the territory.
«It has been emphasized that the entire responsibility for these acts lies solely on the Latvian side. We reserve the right to take measures in response to these decisions,» the ministry has pointed out.
