Russia summons Moldovan ambassador, denouncing “unfriendly actions”

The Russian foreign ministry has said that a strong protest has been expressed to Moldovan Ambassador to Moscow Lilian Darii over Chisinau’s “unfriendly actions”.

"On January 10, Moldovan Ambassador to Russia Lilian Darii was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry. A strong protest was expressed to the ambassador over Chisinau’s unfriendly actions. It was noted that if such actions continue, the Russian side reserves the right to additional response measures," TASS cited the ministry as saying.

The ministry noted that discrimination of Russian nationals entering Moldova has become a routine practice, with groundless entry denials becoming more frequent.

"Aggressive anti-Russian statements continue to be heard from the Moldovan leadership," it noted.

According to the ministry, the Moldovan ambassador was also informed about Russia’s concern over media reports about Moldova’s plans to help train soldiers of the Ukrainian army by instructors from NATO countries in Moldovan territory.

"It was stressed that such assistance is unacceptable as it blurs Moldova’s neutral status and will lead to its direct involvement in combat operations on the part of the Kiev regime," it said.

"The ambassador was notified about the decision to ban entry to Russia to a number of Moldovan officials in response to the Moldovan leadership’s actions," the ministry added.

Since taking power in 2020, Moldovan President Maia Sandu has moved to abandon the Soviet legacy of the country lying between Ukraine and Romania and move it into the European mainstream.

She has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of trying to interfere in last November's local elections in Moldova and of trying to foment a coup to remove her.

Last December, Moldova's parliament approved a new defence strategy identifying Russia and corruption as the two biggest threats to the country's security. The EU last month agreed to open talks on membership with Moldova and Ukraine.

In turn, Moscow authorities also banned imports of Moldovan fruit and vegetables, key exports for one of Europe's poorest countries.

Moldovan authorities have recently extended a ban imposed last year on 12 television channels, saying the media outlets engaged in "manipulation, disinformation and promotion of a foreign agenda".

Moldovan authorities blocked several politicians representing a banned party with pro-Russian views from taking part in last November's local elections.