Reply To Each Other, Russia Now Expels 2 Romanian Diplomats

UNSPLASH/Oksana ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Russia's Foreign Ministry expelled two Romanian diplomats shortly after the country's power of attorney in Moscow was summoned.

In a statement reported by Reuters on Wednesday, April 9, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it had declared the military attach and deputy of the Romanian military attach as non-gratal persona, ordering them to leave Russia.

The move was in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats by Bucharest last month for what Romania called an act that violated diplomatic rules.

Romania previously stated that the military attach of the Russian embassy and its deputy non-grata persona alias could not be accepted in Romania for actions it said violated diplomatic rules.

The move is the latest sign of tension between Bukares and Moscow over the war in Ukraine and allegations of election interference.

Romania canceled the presidential election before the second round in December over allegations Russia interfered in the election campaign, but Moscow denied it.

The Romanian authorities have decided to declare the persona non grata over the military air and sea of the Russian Federation in Bukares and its deputy for actions contrary to the Vienna Convention, the Romanian foreign ministry said.

The statement did not provide further details regarding the actions in question. The Vienna Convention regulates diplomatic relations.