(Reuters) – Estonia denied visa to a Russian diplomat in response to the expulsion of an Estonian diplomat from Russia in early August, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
The Estonian diplomat was expelled after Estonia threw out a Russian diplomat, the statement said. The Russian had been expelled in response to Russia removing Estonian consul Mart Latte, who it accused of spying, on July 7.
Estonia said the accusation was a “set up”.
“In this case, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to end the situation and hopes that despite its asymmetrical action, the Russian Federation refrains from a further escalation of the situation”, said the statement.
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Alison Williams)