Baltics would be wiped out in war with Russia, warns ex Duma member

Latvia and Estonia would be wiped out in the case of a potential war with Russia, former Russian State Duma member Sergey Markov has claimed.

"You should not be afraid in Sweden. However, Latvia and Estonia should be. If there is a great war, it is likely that nothing will be left of these countries," Markov said, who represents Russia's ruling party United Russia told Sweden's Dagens Nyheter newspaper 

The lecturer at Moscow's State University called on the Western elite to further give up Russophobia.

He added that the problem of the West is Russophobia, which has been incited by the Western elite.

"Russophobia is racism against Russians. Give up Russophobia, and your life will become easier," Markov, a lecturer at Moscow's State University said.

His comments were countered by Ambassador of Latvia to Sweden Gints Jegermanis.

"Markov's comments in nothing new. What is new is context. Europe is facing a new war and Russian military aggression against Ukraine is only part of it, therefore these statements have become slightly more worrisome," said Jegermanis.