The Russian Foreign Ministry called Moldova's decision to expel diplomats part of an anti-Russian course.

The decision of the Moldovan authorities to expel Russian diplomats from the republic is part of Chisinau's anti-Russian policy. This was announced on March 31 by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.

"The unjustified decision of the Moldovan authorities to expel our diplomats is part of the anti—Russian course of official Chisinau," she said in a comment on the ministry's website.

She clarified that the Russian Embassy in Chisinau does not interfere in Moldova's internal affairs and acts strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.

According to Zakharova, the Moldovan authorities are aiming to completely destroy bilateral relations "contrary to the attitude of the majority of citizens of the republic."

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that Moscow would respond harshly to Chisinau's actions.

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On the afternoon of March 31, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova declared three employees of the Russian Embassy persona non grata in the republic. The relevant document was handed over to the Russian diplomat. It claims that the staff of the diplomatic mission allegedly conduct activities contrary to their diplomatic status in Moldova.

In turn, on Monday, the Russian Embassy in Moldova called unfounded and unacceptable statements about the alleged interference of the Russian Federation in the internal affairs of the republic. The Russian delegation called on Chisinau to refrain from provocative speculation and return to a pragmatic bilateral dialogue with Moscow.