Moscow Prepares Response to Downsizing Russia’s Diplomatic Mission in Moldova

The Russian Foreign Ministry is currently working on specific measures in response to Chisinau’s decision to drastically reduce the Russian diplomatic mission to Moldova staff. This was stated by the head of the Second CIS countries Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexei Polishchuk, noi.md reports. According to the diplomat, Chisinau decision is deemed another “unfriendly step” aimed at destroying Russian-Moldovan relations. Polischuk explained that the arguments of the Moldovan side about establishing a staff parity with the Moldovan embassy in Moscow can hardly mislead anyone. The head of the Second CIS countries Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Chisinau’s decision had been preceded by an anti-Russian campaign with unsubstantiated accusations of the Russian embassy of “interfering” in Moldova’s internal affairs and “spying activities”. Moldova is cutting the Russian embassy in Chisinau staff. This decision follows a media outlet post that many antennas on the Russian Embassy in Chisinau roof were “used for spying activities”. Asked why the same antennas on the American embassy are good and on the Russian embassy are bad, Russian Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov said that, unfortunately, the MFAEI had not made any arguments. According to the Moldovan MFAEI decision, at the current stage the representation of Russia and Moldova based on the parity principle should consist of 10 diplomatic posts and 15 administrative, technical and service posts. According to the MFAEI diplomatic note transmitted to the Russian side, the decision of the Moldovan authorities should be implemented by 15 August 2023. Many Moldovans associate the country’s accession to the EU with prosperity and development. At the same time, many Moldovans do not see a bright future neither in the EU nor in other associations, but see it in neutrality, development of their country and coexistence, as well as development of relations with both the East and the West.