- Moldova expels Russian diplomats again
Moldova, aspiring to join the EU and situated between Romania and Ukraine, has expelled a Russian diplomat. The decision was personally communicated to Russian Ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov, who was summoned to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry in the capital, Chisinau. The diplomat was found to have engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status.
Previously, allegations emerged that a Russian diplomat had attempted to recruit an employee of the Moldovan parliament and the border guard service. Both Moldovans were provisionally detained following a statement from the prosecutor's office. A search was also conducted in parliamentary offices. Investigations are underway for treason and conspiracy against Moldova, with the recruitment attempts reportedly dating back to 2023. The Russian embassy had denied the allegations.
Moldova had previously expelled 45 Russian diplomats over espionage suspicions in 2023. Russia objects to the east European country's westward orientation under President Maia Sandu. Since 2022, Moldova has been an EU candidate and has officially begun accession talks. A referendum on joining the European Union is planned alongside the presidential election in October.
The Russian embassy issued a statement denying the allegations of a diplomat engaging in activities incompatible with their status, specifically involving recruitment attempts in 2023. Following the expulsion of 45 Russian diplomats over espionage suspicions, the 'AA'-designated diplomat became the latest in a series of Russian diplomats to be expelled from Moldova.
