Political

Russia Expels Moldovan Diplomat in Retaliation

An employee of the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Moscow has been declared persona non grata by the Russian authorities, RIA Novosti reports.

The country's ambassador to the Russian Federation, Lilian Darie, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry to receive a note of protest and to be informed of the decision.

The Moldovan diplomat was also handed a note of protest regarding the blocking of access to the Republic of Moldova of the Russian delegation to the Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to be held on May 14-17.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chisinau confirmed the summoning of the country's ambassador to Moscow, Lilian Darii, to the headquarters of the Russian Foreign Ministry. According to the institution, Lilian Darii was informed about the decision taken by the Russian authorities, and the employee declared persona non grata must return to the Republic of Moldova.

"The MFA expresses its regret over this decision and reiterates that the authorities of the Republic of Moldova are taking all necessary measures to prevent attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the Republic of Moldova," the statement reads.

This measure was a response by Russian authorities to a similar decision made last week by officials in Chisinau, where an Embassy employee was also declared persona non grata.

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Chisinau, Oleg Vasnețov, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 12. According to the institution, the Russian diplomat was informed about the position of disapproval of the decision to open polling stations of the Russian Federation in the Transnistrian region. In turn, Vasnețov told the press that Chisinau's position is "groundless" and that the rights of Russian citizens in the Republic of Moldova must be respected.

In the last six years, nine Russian diplomats have been expelled from the Republic of Moldova, a measure met with similar actions from Moscow.

The most recent case occurred in April of last year, when a Russian diplomat was expelled from the territory of the Republic of Moldova for inappropriate behaviour.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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