The scandalous Mikhail Vanin has been confirmed as Russia’s ambassador to Latvia

The new Russian Ambassador to Riga, Mikhail Vanin, has taken office with a promise to promote better relations. He also stood out in the Foreign Service with scandalous statements, TV3 News reports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Mikhail Vanin as ambassador to Latvia at the end of September. And today, in a solemn ceremony at Riga Castle, the new envoy presented letters of accreditation to President Egils Levits.

“I have come to Latvia with a strong and sincere desire to promote the development of good relations between our countries and nations. And I hope that I will receive your understanding and support in carrying out this mission, “said Vanin.

Mikhail Vann is 61 years old. After graduating from the Faculty of Law of Moscow State University, he began his career in customs in the 1980s. In 1999 he became head of the National Customs Committee, but in 2004 he was transferred from the high office to the Foreign Service, becoming ambassador to Slovenia.

Later, Vanin was the director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After that, the ambassador to Denmark, but before being confirmed as an ambassador to Latvia, performed the duties of an ambassador for special assignments.

While working in Copenhagen, Vanin’s threat with nuclear weapons if Denmark deployed a missile defense system gained international attention. Denmark has called Denmark, Poland and the Baltic states hysterical and anti-Russian.

Andris Sprūds, the head of the Institute of Foreign Policy, admits that sharp statements could be expected while the ambassador was also performing his duties in Riga: “There could be quite critical statements. There may not always be diplomatic statements. And, of course, in general, it does not bode well for our relations or for Russia’s attitude to send a person who has spoken out for the country in this way. At the moment, people are really coming here who are definitely quite ready to tell a small country what the big neighbor thinks about this small country or the region as a whole. ”

According to Sprūd, the new ambassador took office at a time of strained relations with Russia: “I think we are taking many risks here, not to mention threats. This is not only in relations with Latvia, but in general Russian policy. Currently, what is happening on the border with Ukraine. At the moment, what is happening on our own borders with Belarus, where Russia’s finger is also very clear. As for Nordstream, gas prices, also this relationship. In principle, it is clear that this relationship is complex. “