Lithuanian president hopes ties with Russia unaffected by diplomat expulsion

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus said on Monday he hoped that ties with Russia would not be affected after Vilnius expelled a Russian diplomat for alleged spying.

"The spy was caught, and according to the rules, he was expelled," the president told the local media.

"Don't be surprised if Russia expels a Lithuanian diplomat from Moscow without any reason," Adamkus said.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said on Monday he hoped the expulsion of a Russian diplomat last week would not affect the Baltic state's relations with Moscow.

Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union before gaining its independence in 1991.

In 2004, Lithuania ordered out the Russian military attache and two other diplomats for alleged intelligence activities. Moscow retaliated by expelling the Lithuanian military attache.

Source: Xinhua