Russian Embassy in Latvia now stands on Ukrainian Independence street

The Russian Embassy in Latvian capital Riga now officially stands on the street of Ukrainian Independence, despite resisting the name change for eight months.

This was reported by the Mayor of Riga Mārtiņš Staķis, says European Pravda. 

"Hiding behind the convention, the Russian Embassy ignored the demand to change the sign with the new name of the street. Riga City Council in cooperation with the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have found a solution; the sign was changed", wrote Staķis on Twitter.

"The Russian Embassy now stands on Ukrainian Independence street! #StandWithUkraine", he added.

Slēpjoties aiz konvencijas, Krievijas vēstniecība ignorēja prasību nomainīt plāksni, kas vēstī par ielas jauno nosaukumu. @RigasDome sadarbībā ar @Arlietas atrada risinājumu, plāksne nomainīta.

Krievijas vēstniecība atrodas uz Ukrainas neatkarības ielas! #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/k6dcfTcwwO

— Mārtiņš Staķis (@MStakis) December 16, 2022

The decision to change the name of Antonijas Street in the section between Kalpaka Boulevard and Roerich Street was adopted by the Riga City Council on 10 March. It was assumed that within two months new signs were to be placed on the site, and within one month the city authorities were to change the addresses of objects. 

But the Russian embassy has evaded updating the name of the street for a long time, and the city authorities did not want to apply any sanctions for it, since it is a diplomatic mission. For owners of buildings not covered by diplomatic immunity, a fine ranging from 10 to 150 euros is imposed for such a violation.

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