Russia Expels 5 Moldovan Diplomats in Response to Chisinau's Similar Move

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of five Moldovan diplomats from Russia in response to a similar move by Chisinau.

The Russian Foreign Ministry specified that five employees of the Moldovan diplomatic mission in Moscow were ordered to leave Russia within three days.

"In response to the May 29th expulsion of five Russian diplomats from Chisinau, five employees of the Moldovan diplomatic mission in Moscow are declared persona non grata. They need to leave the territory of Russia within three days," the ministry said.

Commenting on the decision, Moscow said that Russia hopes Moldova will realize that its unfriendly actions are "counterproductive."

The ministry said that the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Moldova earlier this week is "destructive and contrary to the principles of partnership and mutual trust."

The Russian Embassy in Moldova on Monday received a note stating that five Russian diplomats were declared persona non grata in the country. Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip said the decision was made on the basis of information received from security services.

Moldovan President Igor Dodon told Sputnik he condemned such actions by the Moldovan government, adding that he hopes to discuss the issue with Putin on the sidelines of the SPIEF set for June 1-3.

Moscow condemned the decision to expel Russian diplomats and vowed it would respond.