“The Russian side’s response is regrettable, but it is not the first time that the Russian authorities resort to such measures. The Republic of Moldova remains firmly committed to countering destabilizing actions”, the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) commented after Russia banned entry to a number of Moldovan officials.

“It is known that the previous decision by the Moldovan authorities to establish a parity of staff between the diplomatic missions of the Russian Federation in Chisinau and of the Republic of Moldova in Moscow was taken as a result of multiple actions of interference in the domestic affairs of our country. The measure in question is in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations”, said Igor Zaharov, communication advisor to Minister Nicu Popescu.

Moscow today banned at least twenty Moldovan nationals, including 18 PAS lawmakers, from entering Russia in response to Chisinau’s earlier decision to cut the staff of the Russian embassy.