Moldova recalls its ambassador from Russia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova decided to recall its ambassador to Russia, Andrei Neguța, to Chisinau “for an indefinite period”, as reported on the website of the Moldovan ministry.
The ministry attributed this step to the fact that the Russian authorities did not react to cases of “harassment and intimidation” against individuals and political figures of Moldova by “officials of the Russian Federation.”
Consultations with Neguta will focus on ways of overcoming the current situation in order to avoid deterioration in relations between Moldova and Russia.
Moldovan President Igor Dodon told TASS that he was outraged by the decision of the Ministry of Foreign affairs to recall Neguta. “This unfriendly action was undertaken on the eve of my planned visit to Moscow at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. If the purpose of this provocation is to disrupt my visit to Russia, it will have no effect. I do not intend to change my plans and will visit Russia regardless of what happens,” Dodon said.
Interfax mentioned that on December 6, the Moscow Basmanny Court sanctioned the absentee arrest of the chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Moldova, businessman Vladimir Plahotniuc, who is accused of attempted murder in Russia. Plahotniuc was also put on the international wanted list. On the same day, the Democratic Party accused Russia of persecuting its leader Plahotniuc.
From December 2008 to April 2012, Neguța was the Ambassador of Moldova to Russia. He was again appointed to serve in this capacity by Dodon, and has been doing so since May 2017.