Russia has expelled three Moldovan diplomats in a reciprocal move, as stated by the Foreign Ministry

Russia has announced the expulsion of three Moldovan diplomats in retaliation for Moldova‘s decision to remove three Russian diplomats, as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday.

Moldova expelled the Russian diplomats on Monday, alleging that the Russian embassy in Chisinau facilitated the escape of a pro-Kremlin lawmaker to avoid his imprisonment for illegal political funding.

In its statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry revealed that it had summoned Moldova’s ambassador, Lilian Darii, to express its discontent over Chisinau’s actions and had issued a note declaring three staff members of Moldova’s embassy in Russia as “persona non grata.”

The ministry emphasized that its embassy in Moldova operates in full accordance with international diplomatic conventions and dismissed any claims of Russian interference in Moldova’s internal matters as baseless.

The pro-European government in Moldova, a former Soviet republic, has consistently accused Russia of interfering in its domestic affairs, a claim that Moscow has denied.

This latest diplomatic dispute revolves around Alexander Nesterovschii, a pro-Kremlin lawmaker convicted of illegally funneling money to a pro-Russian party linked to fugitive businessman Ilan Shor.

Moldova has accused Russia of orchestrating Nesterovschii’s escape last month, just before he was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison. The country’s security service released footage purportedly showing him entering the Russian embassy in Chisinau.

Russian Ambassador to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, has stated that the allegations of interference are unfounded and lack evidence.