Russia has banned entry to 20 Moldovan officials following Moldova's "unfriendly" decision to expel 45 Russian diplomats and employees of the Russian Embassy.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the move on August 18 in a statement but did not identify the Moldovan officials affected by the ban. RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service reported that the ban applied to 20 officials, including 18 lawmakers from President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS).
The other two are the deputy director of the border police, Oleg Bucataru, and the director of the Independent Press Association, Petru Macovei, RFE/RL said, citing sources.
The Moldovan ambassador to Russia was summoned on August 18 to the Foreign Ministry and handed a note of protest over what Moscow calls "Chisinau's unjustified decision to radically reduce the number of employees" of the Russian Embassy.
The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement claimed that limiting the number of Russian diplomats in Moldova is an “unfriendly step” that leads to the further destruction of Russian-Moldovan relations, “which are already in a deep crisis.”
Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu on July 26 ordered the Russian Embassy to reduce its staff to 25 from some 70 by August 15. The 45 Russians and their families left Moldova earlier this week just ahead of the deadline.
Popescu said the move will result in fewer "individuals to destabilize the country."
Sandu has firmly steered Moldova toward the West and last year gained an invitation for her country to open negotiations for European Union membership. She has also accused Moscow of trying to destabilize Moldova and has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A senior Moldovan official on August 18 said Russia's move was regrettable.
"This is not the first time the Russian authorities have resorted to such measures," Igor Zakharov, a communications adviser to the Moldovan foreign minister, was quoted by Reuters as saying.
"The Republic of Moldova is determined to resist destabilizing actions," he added.
Russia Bans Entry To 20 Moldovan Officials After Chisinau Expels 45 Russian Diplomats
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the move on August 18. (file photo)