Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda signed a decree releasing diplomat Eitvydas Bayarunas from his duties as ambassador to Russia from June 1.
This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the national broadcaster LRT.
Earlier, the Lithuanian government suggested recalling the ambassador after evidence emerged of brutal killings in Bucha, Kyiv region, committed by the Russian military.
In connection with the Russian aggression, Lithuania decided back in April to expel the head of the Russian embassy in Vilnius, Aleksey Isakov, and employees of the consulate general in Klaipeda, as well as to close the Russian diplomatic mission in this city and downgrade the diplomatic mission between Lithuania and Russia to the level of charge d’affaires . Four employees of the Russian embassy were also expelled for activities incompatible with diplomatic status.
In response, Moscow expelled Lithuanian diplomats and closed the consulate in St. Petersburg.
On February 24, Russia launched a new stage of the war against Ukraine – a full-scale offensive. The enemy is carrying out massive shelling and bombardment of Ukrainian cities and villages.
After the outbreak of the war, Russia was subjected to large-scale sanctions by the world community.