CHISINAU (Reuters) – Russia’s embassy in Moldova has announced it will temporarily suspend appointments for consular matters due to the country’s order to reduce staff.
The embassy issued a statement on Saturday, stating that consular appointments will be suspended from Aug. 5 “for technical reasons.”
In recent years, Moldova has faced disruptions due to Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine, and its pro-European President, Maia Sandu, has condemned the invasion and accused Moscow of attempting to destabilize the country.
Moldovan officials explain that the order to reduce staff at the Russian embassy from over 80 to 25, effective from Aug. 15, is intended to establish parity with Moldova’s embassy in Moscow.
“They are not being declared persona non grata. They are simply being asked to leave to establish parity,” stated Igor Zakhahrov, the foreign ministry press secretary.
The decision to reduce staff was made following reports that more than two dozen antennas were installed on the roof of the Russian embassy for surveillance purposes.
Reacting to the order, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova pledged that Moscow would announce retaliatory measures at a later time.
Most of the consular work carried out by the embassy pertains to the pro-Russian separatist enclave of Transdniestria. This region broke away from Moldova prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union and is home to 200,000 Russian passport holders.
Previously, embassy staff were able to travel to the enclave, which is located on the Ukrainian border, to conduct consular affairs. However, authorities in the separatist region argue that the reduction in staff will significantly complicate this arrangement.
(Editing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Chris Reese)
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