Russia declares Moldovan embassy employee persona non grata in retaliation for Chisinau's expulsion of a Russian diplomat

In brief

• Russia declared an employee of Moldova's embassy in Moscow unacceptable on 10 November.
• The move is a reciprocal response to Moldova's 23 October expulsion of a Russian embassy employee.
• The expulsion followed a drone loaded with explosives falling in Kishtelnitsa, and Moscow disputes that the drone was Russian.

Russia summons Moldova's ambassador

Russia's Foreign Ministry has summoned Moldova's ambassador, Liliana Dariy, to Moscow on Tuesday. He received a formal protest and a note announcing the decision. According to the ministry, the move follows the principle of reciprocity and responds to Moldova's earlier step against a Russian diplomat (Росія оголосила відповідь Молдові на висилку дипломата через дрон з вибухівкою – Європейська правда) (Россия объявила сотрудника посольства Молдавии неприемлемым лицом – pnp.ru).

Background to the expulsion

Moldova's government declared a Russian embassy employee in Chisinau persona non grata on 23 October. The decision came after a drone loaded with explosives came down in the village of Kishtelnitsa, about 100 metres from a residential house. Moldova's Foreign Ministry blamed the Russian Federation for the airspace violation (МИД России объявил сотрудника посольства Молдовы в Москве персоной нон грата. Почему? – newsmaker.md). President Maia Sandu said the war waged by Russia continues to threaten Moldovans.

Moscow's response

The Russian Foreign Ministry says Chisinau used a "formal pretext" and argues there is no proof the drone was Russian, calling the decision contrived. It describes the step as another unfriendly move aimed at further damaging bilateral ties with a centuries-old history. Moscow says the reciprocal measure was taken without an announced deadline for the Moldovan employee's departure.

What is still unclear

Newsmaker said it had asked Moldova's Foreign Ministry for comment and would publish a reply once received. Moldovan official reaction to Moscow's latest note has not been reported in the sources reviewed.