Moldovan Foreign Ministry on blocking the Russian embassy: "We did not violate anything"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova issued a statement today, March 20, in which it refuted the accusations of violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations made by Russia in connection with the actions of the authorities the day before at the Russian Embassy in Chisinau.

The incident occurred after an anonymous message about a bomb planted on the territory of the Russian embassy was received by the police on March 19 at 13:40. After that, Moldovan law enforcement agencies cordoned off the territory around the diplomatic mission and blocked access to it, including for diplomatic workers. A protest followed from Russia.

The Moldovan Foreign Ministry said that the actions of the authorities were aimed at ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel, citizens in the embassy area and public order.

"The authorities acted in accordance with the law and international obligations. The access restriction was temporary and in accordance with standard procedures. The work of the diplomatic mission has not been disrupted," the Ministry said, adding that the Republic of Moldova strictly complies with the Vienna Convention and guarantees the conditions for the normal functioning of all diplomatic missions.

The situation at the embassy was resolved a few hours later: after the sappers checked, the bomb threat was not confirmed, and the cordon was lifted. The Moldovan side rejected the accusations of the political background of the incident, calling "attempts to distort events unacceptable."

Recall, Moscow regarded the restrictive actions against the diplomatic corps of the Russian Federation as a "flagrant violation" of international obligations. Yesterday, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Moscow, Lilian Dariya, and protested to him.

This is not the first time that the Moldovan authorities have violated the 1961 Vienna Convention against Russian diplomats, justifying it as the "prerogative of the host country."

As EADaily reported, earlier Chisinau also rejected Russia's accusations of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations due to the delay in accepting the credentials of Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov, who arrived in the country back in October 2024. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stressed that Moscow expects the Moldovan authorities to change the discriminatory attitude towards the Russian diplomatic mission.