Russia, Estonia expel ambassadors amid 'destroyed' relations - UPDATED

Russia and Estonia on Monday were expelling the ambassadors from each other's countries in a tit-for-tat move, saying that their diplomatic missions will be headed by charges d'affaires, Report informs via The Washington Post.

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre and ordered him to leave the country by February 7.

In response, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said that the Russian ambassador will leave on February 7 too, in accordance with “the principle of parity.”

Russia is expelling Estonia's ambassador and the country's diplomatic mission will be headed by a charge d'affaires, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday, Report informs via The Washington Post.

Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre was ordered to leave the country by February 7, the ministry said.

The statement said that Estonia's diplomatic representation from now on will be downgraded to a charge d'affaires heading the European Union country's mission in Moscow.

The ministry said that the move was made in retaliation for Estonia's "new unfriendly step to radically reduce the size of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn."