Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Russia

Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

As the embassy explained to LETA, Veshnyakov listened to Skujina's disapproval and concerns regarding Zhirinovsky's comments, and submitted an explanation that he is in opposition politician, who is no way was expressing Russia's official stance.

He also pointed out that some Saeima coalition MPs, as well as several ministers, have on several occasions made ''Russophobic'' comments, and urged partners not to intensify the already tense situation by using pre-election political rhetoric.

As reported, the Foreign Ministry summoned Veshnyakov today in regard to the highly disturbing comments recently made by Zhirinovsky, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics stated earlier.

''I hope some will finally wake-up,'' the minister said.

''Such comments are a clear confirmation to the Russian ruling elite's desire to renew the Russian empire. This incident also shows that the European Union's sanctions and other measures against Russia in connection with Ukraine was the correct step to take and are completely justified. We will take these comments into account when we discuss with our NATO partners additional measures for the security of the Baltic states and Poland,'' Rinkevics said.

The minister expects that Russian officials will disassociate themselves from these comments and confirm the sovereignty of the Baltics' borders.

Earlier this week, Zhirinovsky told Russian television channel ''Rossiya 24'' that a decision on the start of WWIII has been already made, and that the Baltics and Poland will be ''annihilated''.

LETA also reported, Zhirinovsky, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, stated last year that the Baltic countries will be occupied or destroyed since they have dared to support the intervention of the Western countries in Syria.