Moldova Expels a Russian Diplomat Because of the Ballot in Transnistria

The Moldovan Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov. He was told that a member of the embassy staff in Chisinau had been declared persona non grata and had to leave the country. Vasnetsov was lodged a protest over the opening of polling stations in Transnistria for the Russian presidential election. During the elections held from 15 to 17 March, 46,179 Russians voted in the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic. Polling stations were opened in Tiraspol, Bender, Grigoriopol and Ribnita. Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian condemned Russia for opening polling stations in Transnistria. Moldovan President Maia Sandu accused Russian authorities of organizing a coup d’état in the republic.