A Russian diplomat has been ordered to leave Latvia by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Axar.az reports citing Public Broadcasting of Latvia.

The Ministry released a statement on March 27 saying Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Oleg Zykov, was summoned so that a "protest was expressed to him in the strongest possible terms by the Latvian side" over what was described as "unacceptable and provocational public communication pursued by the Embassy over an extended period."

"The Embassy of Russia, regardless [of] repeated reprimands from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has continued inaccurate public communication aimed at the discreditation of public institutions and authorities of the Latvian state and inciting hatred among society in Latvia.

"Given the above, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia has decided to declare one diplomat of the Embassy of the Russian Federation persona non grata. The Russian diplomat must leave Latvia by the end of the day this coming 10 April," said the MFA.

The identity of the diplomat singled out for expulsion was not revealed. Russia will likely respond in kind.