The Moldovan Foreign Ministry has labeled three Russian diplomats as persona non grata, stating they had engaged in activities that clearly contravened their diplomatic standing.
Tensions between Moldova Russia escalated tensions on Monday following Moldova's move to expel three Russian diplomats later that day.
The Moldovan Foreign Ministry labeled the three individuals as "persona non grata" and demanded their departure, stating that they had engaged in activities clearly violating their diplomatic duties.
The Russian Foreign Ministry vowed to respond with countermeasures, although it hasn’t detailed what these actions might entail.
The expulsions occurred soon after Moldova alleged that the Russian Embassy in Chisinau was assisting a pro-Kremlin legislator avoid jail time. However, Russian authorities have rejected these claims as unfounded.
Disappearance of pro-Kremlin legislator sparks international dispute
The immediate trigger for Moldova's expulsion of Russian diplomats was the case of Alexander Nesterovschii, a member of parliament aligned with pro-Russian interests.
Nesterovschii was sentenced in his absence to 12 years in prison for financing a political party connected to Ilan Shor, who is a fugitive businessman and ex-lawmaker.
Shor, who left Moldova following his involvement in one of the nation's biggest banking fraud cases, has subsequently supported initiatives favoring the Kremlin.
Based on regulatory documents, it’s thought that he established intermediate firms—some in collaboration with sanctioned organizations—to assist Russian enterprises in bypassing Western economic sanctions. His political connections have supported parties alleged to be destabilizing Moldova. pro-European trajectory .
Moldovan prosecutors say that Nesterovschii funneled money from Shor-linked sources to influence key political events — including the 2023 local elections, the 2024 presidential race, and a referendum on Moldova's bid to join the European Union.
A day before his sentencing, surveillance footage captured Nesterovschii entering the Russian Embassy in Chisinau.
According to Moldova's Security and Intelligence Service (SIS), he was then transported in a vehicle with diplomatic plates to Transdniestria, a breakaway region under de facto Russian control since the early 1990s.
"This type of activity is part of the mechanism of hybrid aggression directed against the Republic of Moldova,'' said Alexandru Musteata, head of SIS.
The Russian Embassy in Chisinau has rejected the allegations as "unfounded and unacceptable,” dismissing Moldova's response as politically driven.
Moldova charges Russia with recurrent meddling.
President Maia Sandu criticized what she saw as an outright intervention in Moldova's judicial processes.
The interference of the Russian Federation with the judicial system of the Republic of Moldova is not acceptable," she stated during a radio interview. "Consider the scenario where Moldova meddles with the justice system in Russia.
Moldova's government, which supports European integration, has often charged Russia with efforts to create instability As the nation works towards strengthening its relationship with the European Union, Moldova is striving to become an EU member by 2030 and received candidate status in 2022.
This diplomatic dispute represents the most recent conflict in a string of disagreements between these two countries. Back in August 2024, Moldova dismissed a Russian diplomat due to accusations of espionage.
In July 2023, 45 Russian envoys were dismissed after news broke that the Russian embassy had been serving as a hub for espionage activities. Even so, various diplomats allegedly connected to Russian intelligence apparently stayed behind in Moldova.
Tensions escalate as crucial elections approach.
The most recent diplomatic conflicts arise as Moldova gears up for its parliamentary elections this fall, which will gauge the public support for its pro-Europe administration.
At the same time, the investigation into purported illicit financing allegations continued pro-Russian interests continues . Authorities recently detained Eugenia Gutul, the governor of Gagauzia, at the border while she allegedly tried to flee the country. She has been placed in 30-day custody. Another lawmaker, Irinna Lozovan, is reportedly evading law enforcement after facing similar charges.
Both Gutul and Lozovan have called the allegations politically charged.
Edited by Richard Connor
Author: Shubhangi Derhgawen (Reuters, AinotiSources)
EmoticonEmoticon