Russia-Ukraine war: Russian embassy declared persona non grata in Moldova

Moldova has declared an employee from the Russian embassy in its capital of Chisinau persona non grata. The Russian foreign ministry has since said it would respond to Moldova’s declaration.

Moldova’s foreign ministry on Monday said it had declared an employee from the Russian embassy persona non grata. While the ministry did not identify the employee in a statement it issued about the declaration, the ministry said it has summoned the Russian ambassador and informed the envoy that the employee must leave Moldova.

“Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine are having severe spillover effects on Moldova, threatening our energy and human security. Russia’s ambassador was summoned earlier today and notified of our decision to declare a Russian diplomat persona non grata,” tweeted Moldovan foreign minister Nicu Popescu.

Prior to the declaration, Moldova – a former Soviet republic that now seeks to join the European Union – said that missile debris from a Russian attack in Ukraine landed in a Moldovan village. The Moldovan foreign ministry told the Russian ambassador that the missile attacks would continue to become greater security risks for Moldova, with Moldovans increasingly feeling “the devastating consequences of the war.”

Relations between Moldova and Russia have already been strained due to the presence of Russian peacekeeping troops in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniestria and have only increased following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine back in February.

Russian news outlets reported that the Russian foreign ministry said it plans to respond to Moldova’s declaration of declaring one of its diplomats at the embassy persona non grata. However, the ministry reportedly did not provide any further details.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesperson also called for Russia to be expelled from the G20 group of countries due to the war. The spokesperson added that Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s invitation to the G20 summit in Bali must also be revoked.

“Putin publicly acknowledged ordering missile strikes on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure,” tweeted spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko. “With his hands stained in blood, he must not be allowed to sit at the table with world leaders. Putin’s invitation to the Bali summit must be revoked, and Russia expelled from G20.”