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Estonia is expelling a member of the staff of the Russian embassy

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

13.08.2025 | 11:17

Today 13 August, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Russian embassy to present a diplomatic note on declaring the First Secretary of the Russian embassy's staff persona non grata. The diplomat must leave Estonia.

Presenting the note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the representative of the Russian embassy that Estonia does not intend to tolerate Russia's activities against our constitutional order and internal stability, and considers it necessary to express this very clearly. Estonia will also inform its partners and allies of the incident.

Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the expulsion of a member of the staff of the Russian embassy: "The diplomat in question has been directly and actively involved in undermining the constitutional order and legal system of Estonia, as well as in dividing Estonian society, contributing to the crimes against the state, including several offences related to sanctions violations. At present, one citizen of the Republic of Estonia has been convicted for carrying out these crimes. The Russian embassy's ongoing interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Estonia must end and by expelling the diplomat, we are demonstrating that Estonia will not allow any actions orchestrated and organized by a foreign state on its territory."

Estonia's action is in accordance with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which states that the receiving State may at any time and without having to explain its decision, notify the sending State that the head of the mission or any member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is persona non grata.