The President of Moldova Igor Dodon had a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The Moldovan official in the meeting referred to the Russian diplomats who were declared personas non grata, expressing his regret at the lack of vision and unfriendly actions of the Government of the Republic of Moldova in relation to the Russian Federation, which is a strategic partner, IPN reports, with reference to the presidential press service.

“Despite these hostile approaches, Russia will not take other response measures, except for the similar measure to expel Moldovan diplomats. We agreed to keep all our agreements concerning the return of Moldovan producers to the Russian market and to amnesty the Moldovan migrant workers. The strategic partnership between Moldova and Russia is under systemic recovery and nobody – either in Moldova or abroad – will be able to stop this process,” stated Igor Dodon.

In the meeting, Igor Dodon thanked his Russian counterpart for the personal contribution to taking decisions about the resumption of the export of Moldovan products to Russia and the amnestying of migrants.

Five Russian diplomats on May 29 were declared personas non grata in Moldova. The Moldovan authorities didn’t give details about the reasons for the expulsion. In reaction, President Igor Dodon said the government made a revolting gesture in relation to the strategic partner. In two days, employees of Moldova’s Embassy in Moscow were declared personas non grata and were to leave Russia within three days. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was taken in response to the expulsion of five Russian diplomats from Moldova.

The June 2 meeting of the two Presidents was the fourth so far this year.