By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Moldova on Tuesday summoned Moscow’s ambassador to Chisinau over claims of alleged Russian interference in the country’s presidential election and EU referendum held late last month.
A statement from the Moldovan Foreign Ministry said that a note of protest was handed over to Russian Ambassador to Chisinau Oleg Ozerov over the alleged interference aimed at “undermining and delegitimizing the democratic process of the Republic of Moldova.”
It further said that the Foreign Ministry condemned Russia’s alleged violation of Moldovan airspace, as Chisinau said on Sunday that it spotted two Russian drones in the country's Causeni and Riscani districts around the time of overnight attacks on neighboring Ukraine.
Reiterating that the Moldovan side has “clear information” showing the drones were launched by Moscow, the statement said Russia’s ambassador was warned that such actions are a “serious violation” and an “unfriendly gesture.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly called on the Russian authorities to immediately stop these actions and to refrain from any interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Moldova in the future,” the statement added.
On Monday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denied Moldova's claims, saying no evidence was presented by Chisinau showing the drones were of Russian origin or were launched from Russia itself.
Earlier this month, the Russian Foreign Ministry also summoned Moldova's ambassador to Moscow over alleged discrimination against Russian observers during the country's presidential election on Oct. 20, which saw incumbent President Maia Sandu secure a second term in office following a runoff vote on Nov. 3.
Relations between Russia and Moldova, a former republic of the Soviet Union, have deteriorated since 2003 and completely degraded since Sandu, who is seen as pro-Western, was elected president in 2020.
Sandu’s condemnation of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine has further escalated tensions. She also accused Moscow of attempting to orchestrate her ouster and “destabilize” Moldova. Russia has denied the claims.