Russia expels Moldovan and Estonian diplomats

Russia has just expelled five Moldovan diplomats and two Estonian diplomats in response to similar moves by the two countries earlier.

Moldova Embassy in Moscow - Photo: RIA

According to RIA Novosti, the Russian Foreign Ministry gave Moldovan diplomats a three-day deadline and the Estonian group a five-day deadline to leave Russian territory.

On May 29, the Russian Embassy in Moldova received a diplomatic note announcing that five of its diplomats were placed on persona non grata status (diplomatic term: not welcome).

Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Philip said that the decision to expel the Russian diplomat was made based on information from intelligence agencies.

But Moscow said it was a direct “provocation” by some forces in Moldova against the President's agenda.

Commenting on Moscow's decision to retaliate, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said that relations between the two countries in 25 years "have never been on the brink of the abyss like now".

Mr. Dodon blamed the Moldovan government and the majority in parliament for allowing this situation to happen.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry previously followed Moldova in expelling two Russian diplomats, but the reason was not announced.

Russia called this an "unfriendly and baseless" action and pledged to respond.

According to tuoitre.vn