A diplomat of Moldova’s Embassy in Moscow was declared persona non grata by the Russian authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said the measure was taken in response to the Moldovan authorities’ decision to expel an employee of the Embassy of Russia in Chisinau, IPN reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova confirmed the information about the expulsion of a Moldovan diplomat disseminated by the Russian side. The spokesman for the Ministry Daniel Vodă said that the Ministry took note of the Russian authorities’ decision in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

“The Ministry also reminds of the context in which this decision was taken and expresses is profound regret at Russia’s continuous war of aggression against Ukraine. We reiterate that the Moldovan authorities’ decision to expel the Russian diplomat, which was announced on October 31, was based on the fact that the missile attacks on Ukraine continue to expand the security risks and the citizens of our country increasingly feel the disastrous effects of the war, including the unfriendly actions against our country, and also the violation of our national airspace, which is absolutely inacceptable for our people.” stated Daniel Vodă.

On October 31, a representative of the Embassy of Russia in Chisinau was declared persona non grata in Moldova and was obliged to leave the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration said the decision was communicated to the Russian side through Russia’s Ambassador in Chisinau Oleg Vasnetsov, who was summoned to the Ministry.