Russia Summons Moldovan Ambassador, Decries 'Unfriendly Actions'

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Moldovan ambassador on January 10 to protest "unfriendly acts" on the part of the ex-Soviet state's pro-European government and said it was barring entry to a number of its nationals. A Foreign Ministry statement denounced the "systematic character" of actions it said were directed against Russian citizens, including journalists. "Moldova's leadership continues to make aggressive anti-Russian declarations," the statement said. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Moldova's parliament last month approved a new defense strategy identifying Russia and corruption as the two biggest threats to the country's security.