'War crimes': Amid Ukraine war, Baltic states expel Russian diplomats

Amid the Ukraine war, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania announced they had expelled ten Russian diplomats.

Estonia's foreign ministry said the Russian diplomats had "directly and actively undermined Estonia's security and spread propaganda justifying Russia's military action."

Lithuania expelled four Russian diplomats as foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said, "Russia's military attacks on civilians, civilian objects, hospitals, schools, maternity wards and cultural objects are war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Latvia's foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics said the three expelled Russian embassy officials were involved in "activities are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine".

The decision has been coordinated with Lithuania and Estonia, the foreign minister added.

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Bulgaria's foreign ministry alsoannounced the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats over suspected espionage activities. Bulgaria had earlier expelled two Russian diplomats earlier this month.

Reports claimed on Thursday that Kosovo has requested President Biden to help in joining NATO.

President Vjosa Osmani in a letter said "Kosovo's membership in NATO has become imperative" amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti had earlier pressed for the country's entry into the EU and NATO.

(With inputs from Agencies)