Five Russian diplomats were declared personas non grata in the Republic of Moldova. In reaction, President Igor Dodon said this is a revolting gesture by the government in relation to the Russian Federation, which is a strategic partner. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswoman Maria Zaharova also had a reaction, IPN reports.
Five diplomats of the Embassy of Russia in Chisinau on May 29 were declared personas non grata. The information was confirmed for the news portal Deschide.md by adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Galbur. The Moldovan authorities didn’t provide details about the reasons for the expulsion of the Russian diplomats from Moldova.
President Igor Dodon had a harsh reaction. “I’m profoundly indignant at this open hostility of the Moldovan diplomatic service and condemn it categorically. I understand that the Euro-unionists are bothered by the results achieved by the President during the last few months and decided to resort to direct provocations, even if they risk seriously affecting the Moldovan-Russian relations. I also understand that this is probably an order from the West, possibly from over the ocean, from those who are concerned about the fact that a constructive and efficient dialogue was ultimately established between the Presidential Office of Chisinau and the Kremlin,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
According to President Dodon, the current government accepted to become involved in the very dangerous geopolitical games of Brussels and Washington and in the games of the NATO. “I don’t think they realize at what price they do this and in what difficult and risky situation they can put the country and the people. This is an ugly gesture that will definitely have negative consequences,” wrote the Head of State
Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zaharova stated that the Embassy of Russia in Chisinau received a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova about the declaring of Russian diplomats as personas non grata. “This is a paradoxical, but conclusive situation. It is evident that this has not connection with the work of the diplomats and shows how the situation develops in the Republic of Moldova,” the Russian agency ria.ru quoted Maria Zaharova as saying.
According to the press, Russian MP Igor Morozov, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, said that Moscow will respond by expelling Moldovan diplomats. “In this situation, we cannot respond in a different way. Similar measures will be taken. Moldovan diplomats will be expelled,” stated Igor Morozov.
