Dodon: Moldova has no obligations to expel Russian diplomats

President of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon has condemned a decision made the by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration to expel three Russian diplomats. According to the president, it is another anti-Russian provocation of the ruling regime.

“I am extremely indignant at the decision of the Moldovan government to expel Russian diplomats. I condemn this anti-Russian provocation. Moldova has no allied obligations to Great Britain and other NATO members to take such steps due to the principle of bloc solidarity,” Dodon announced.

The leader of the country reminded that a number of NATO members, Slovakia and Turkey, and an EU member, Austria, refused to participate in “this collective anti-Russian escapade.”

“It is twice more absurd to take such a step now, after a visit to Moldova of Russian Deputy Minister Grigory Karasin during which representatives of all branches of power of this country spoke restoring normal relations with Moscow,” Igor Dodon concluded.

After the March 20 official visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin, Chisinau started talking about intensifying the political dialog of the two countries and normalization of the relations after the disbalance of the last year.

On March 27, the Moldovan foreign ministry summoned Russia’s Ambassador to Moldova Farit Mukhametshin and informed him that three Russian diplomats were declared personas non grata and were to leave the country within seven days. The press office of the foreign ministry announced that this measure is a sign of solidarity with Great Britain on Sergei Skrpal’s case.