Moldova declares Russian Deputy Prime Minister Rogozin a persona non grata
The Moldovan government adopted a ruling to declare Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin a persona non grata.
As reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI), according to the adopted ruling, the Russian deputy prime minister is banned from entering Moldova and from transit through its territory.
“Russian ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Chișinău Farit Mukhametshin was invited to the MFAEI in connection with the recent public statements of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. Notably, the attention of the Russian ambassador was directed to an interview of Rogozin on the TV channel Russia 24 (VGTRK), in which he made a whole range of derogatory remarks against Moldova and its citizens. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister also made derogatory assessments of the country’s authorities,” states the document, in which these outbursts are considered “damaging” and “false”.
The ministry expresses regret that these are not the first such statements which “cannot be taken any other way than gross interference in the internal affairs of our state”.
“Taking these circumstances into account, ambassador Farit Mukhametshin was informed of the Moldovan government’s decision to declare Dmitry Rogozin an unwanted person in the territory of the Republic of Moldova, banning him from entering and transit through Moldovan territory. We note that this ruling was made with due regard for all the institutional procedures and was announced to Russia according to all diplomatic norms,” the report states.
The decision was supported by most members of the cabinet of ministers.
Commenting on Moldova’s step, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin told the newspaper Kommersant in an interview that Moscow considers Moldova’s decision treacherous.
“This new ruling cannot be called anything other than treacherous. Essentially, it aims to destroy everything which has been done in recent years,” the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister stated.
According to Karasin, the decision by the Moldovan government threatens more than just bilateral relations.
“It is intended to destabilize the situation in the region and, perhaps, in Europe as a whole,” Karasin said.
He also believes that such a step “should cause concern in European capitals too, because it could create a new nexus of tension in Europe”.
“Chișinău’s attempts to become right-wing in its anti-Russian campaigns, which are now actively getting started, cause us serious regret and disappointment,” the diplomat summarized.
Karasin stressed that Moldova’s actions would be met with an adequate response.
“We are acting in a regulated way and not as emotionally as certain international players. We will not hurry with this [the response measures]. But there is no doubt that these actions will receive an adequate response,” the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized.
As reported, on July 28 Rogozin was supposed to visit Moldova on the invitation of its president Igor Dodon. As part of the visit, Rogozin intended to participate in events in Transnistria. There were plans for a meeting of the Moldovan president and Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky in Bender with Rogozin’s participation.
On July 28, Romanian authorities did not allow Rogozin, who was flying in a passenger plane, to fly through their territory, and so the plan landed in Minsk, from where the Russian deputy prime minister returned to Moscow, and the other passengers flew to Chișinău.
Since Rogozin did not arrive, the Transnistrian authorities refused to meet with Dodon.
At the same time, in an interview with Moldovan TV channel NTV, Rogozin said that Vladimir Plahotniuc, leader of the ruling Democratic Party in Moldova, stands behind the disruption of his trip to Chișinău and Tiraspol. Furthermore, he noted that suggestions regarding response measures will be prepared for Russia’s political leadership.