Russia closes Romania’s St. Petersburg consulate and expels consul
The Russian Federation is closing the Romanian Consulate in St. Petersburg, and the Romanian consul has been declared persona non grata. This decision was confirmed on June 25 by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It follows Romania's expulsion of the Russian consul in Constanta and the closure of that consulate last month, which occurred after a Russian drone crashed in Galati.
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) confirmed on Thursday that the Romanian ambassador to the Russian Federation was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This summons was previously reported by Russian media and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Romanian MAE, "During the meeting, the Russian side notified the declaration of persona non grata for the interim manager of the Romanian Consulate General in Saint Petersburg, as well as the decision to withdraw consent for the establishment of this consular post."
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the Russian response as "predictable."
The MAE noted, "The decision announced today by the Russian side is in response to measures adopted by Romanian authorities on May 29, 2026, following the crash of a Russian drone in the municipality of Galați. This incident resulted in injuries and material damage. At that time, the Romanian government declared the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Constanta persona non grata and ordered the closure of the Russian Consulate General in that city."
On the other hand, Russia stated that its decision is a retaliation for Romania's actions last month. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "This is a response to Bucharest's unjustified withdrawal of consent for the operation of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Constanta and the declaration of its head as persona non grata."
Reports emerged on Thursday morning about the summoning of the Romanian ambassador to the Russian MAE, following the closure of the Russian consulate in Constanta three weeks earlier. Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had warned that Moscow would take "specific measures."
Romanian President Nicușor Dan announced on May 29 that Romania decided to declare the Russian consul in Constanta persona non grata and to close the Russian diplomatic mission in Constanta. This decision was made after a Russian drone struck the roof of an apartment building in Galați.
The Romanian consulate in St. Petersburg began operations in July 2003. Romania also previously had a consulate in Rostov-on-Don, which the Russian side closed on December 15.
