Moldova declared Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin a persona non grata on Wednesday, barring him from entering Moldova or travelling via its territory, the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration said.
"Russian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Farit Mukhametshin was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration in light of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin's recent public statements. In particular, the Russian ambassador's attention was drawn to Rogozin's interview to the Rossiya-24 (VGTRK) television channel, in which he resorted to insulting judgments relating to the country's authorities," the ministry said, describing Rogozin's remarks as 'defamatory' and 'mendacious'.
The ministry said it regretted that these are not the first such statements that "cannot be viewed other than gross interference in our country's internal affairs," it said.
"Considering these circumstances, Ambassador Farit Mukhametshin was informed about the Moldovan leadership's decision to declare Rogozin a persona non grata in Moldova's territory, barring his entrance to and travelling through Moldovan territory. We point out that this decision was made in line with all institutional procedures and was communicated to Russia in keeping with all diplomatic norms," it said.
