Russia responds to Moldova's decision to reduce diplomatic staff
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Moldova's Ambassador to Russia Lilian Darii on Friday in response to Chisinau's decision to reduce the number of employees of Russian foreign missions in Moldova.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the move was "unfriendly" and would "further destroy" Russian-Moldovan relations, which are already in a deep crisis.
The statement also said that several Moldovan officials had been refused entry to Russia, but did not specify who they were.
The Moldovan Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the decision to reduce the number of Russian diplomats was made in response to "repeated cases of espionage and destabilisation attempts" by Russian officials.
The ministry said that the decision was "not directed against the Russian people" and that it "does not affect the normal functioning of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau."
The two countries have been engaged in a tense standoff since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Moldova taking a pro-Western stance.
