Latvian Foreign Ministry summon Russian envoy, issues formal protest

Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 19 summoned the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Russia and issued a formal protest over recent statements by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), which Riga described as false and escalatory.

According to the ministry, the protest was directed at a May 19 public statement by the SVR that repeated earlier allegations claiming Ukraine was preparing to launch attacks on Russian territory from Latvian soil, Caliber.Az reports. 

During the meeting, Latvian officials reiterated that the country has not granted permission for its territory or airspace to be used for any attacks against the Russian Federation. They also accused Moscow of continuing to spread misinformation despite repeated diplomatic and public clarifications.

An official note of protest was handed to the Russian diplomatic representative during the meeting.

On May 19, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed that Ukraine was preparing strikes against Russia from Latvia, alleging an expansion of Ukrainian military activity involving Baltic states.

Ukraine rejected the allegations, calling them “falsehoods” and describing the claims as part of a broader disinformation campaign.

By Sabina Mammadli