Russia’s ambassador summoned to Latvia’s FM over interview

 Russia’s Ambassador Alexander Veshnyakov has been summoned to the Latvian Foreign Ministry for a talk with State Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics who pointed to inadmissibility of the diplomat’s statements in an interview published in the local Vesti Segodnya daily, Martins Dregeris, an advisor to Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, told reporters on Thursday.
In the interview, Veshnyakov expressed the hope that pragmatism would prevail in the two countries’ relations despite the fact that certain political forces in this Baltic state continue to instigate anti-Russian sentiments.

"We witness persistent attempts to distort historical facts - certainly, it is being done deliberately pursuing concrete political goals: to turn the victor into aggressor and to make Nazi collaborationists heroes," the Russian diplomat said. "After that, annual processions of Waffen SS legionnaires may be presented from the opposite point of view, claiming it's the heroes that are marching. But I am certain nothing will come out of this. We know the truth and people are still alive who were not only eyewitnesses but participants in the war. History twisters will suffer a next defeat."

Russia’s ambassador expressed his criticism of Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics’ statements comparing a modern Russia with the Third Reich.

"First, as far as I understand, these statements are not welcomed by Latvia’s government," Veshnyakov said. "Second, I stick to the opinion voiced by lots of Russians: if no apologies follow from Mr Rinkevics, Russian diplomats will avoid shaking hands with him."