By expelling the three Russian diplomats from the Republic of Moldova, the Moldovan authorities wanted to show their loyalty towards the West. But this action could have unpleasant consequences for the Moldovan citizens. Such opinions were stated in the program “Key issue” on NTV Moldova channel, IPN reports.

Ex-MP Zurab Todua said that by expelling the three Russian diplomats, the Moldovan authorities wanted to show their loyalty to the West and to thus show that they are ready for other action that would support the Western line against Russia and its partners. “A big question remains, if this thing is needed by the Moldova people. The behavior of the Moldovan administration arouses many questions,” stated Zurab Todua. According to him, it is not clear what the Moldovan authorities made common cause with given that there is no clarity as to the possible poisoning of ex-Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal.

Jurist Sergei Mishin said the export of Moldovan fruit to Russia only started to be remedied and now the Russians could ban again the import of Moldovan products. The persons are usually declared non-grata if they broke the law or spied and this thing should be proven. In the case of the Russian diplomats, it is not clear what they were expelled for.

On March 27, the Moldovan authorities announced that three diplomats of Russia’s Embassy in Moldova were declared personas non-grata in solidarity with the UK following the European Council’s conclusions of March 23-24, 2018 that describe the Salisbury nerve agent attack as a threat to collective security and international law. In reply, on March 30 the Russian Federation announced that it will send home three Moldovan diplomats.