Politics Moldova again expels Russian diplomats
The Republic of Moldova, which lies between Romania and Ukraine and is striving to join the EU, has expelled a Russian diplomat.
01.08.2024, 15:09
SDA
The Russian ambassador to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry, Oleg Vasnetsov, was personally informed of the decision, according to the authorities in the capital Chisinau. The embassy employee had carried out activities that were incompatible with diplomatic status, it said.
Previously, allegations had been made that a Russian diplomat had recruited an employee of the Moldovan parliament and an employee of the border guard service. According to a statement from the public prosecutor's office, both Moldovans had been provisionally arrested the previous day. A search was also carried out in parliament rooms. They are being investigated for high treason and conspiracy against Moldova, it said. The recruitment attempts had already taken place in 2023. The Russian embassy denied the allegations.
Moldova had already expelled 45 Russian diplomats in 2023 amid accusations of espionage. Russia is bothered by the Eastern European country's western orientation under President Maia Sandu. Moldova has been a candidate for EU membership since 2022 and has officially begun accession talks. In October, a referendum on accession to the European Union is planned alongside the presidential election.
