CHISINAU, Moldova — Moldova’s prime minister has recalled the country’s ambassador to Russia after the diplomat made remarks in support of keeping Russian troops in his country.
Prime Minister Vlad Filat said Wednesday that he will appoint a new envoy who “has … the necessary capability to represent Moldova’s interests with dignity.”
Andrei Neguta, who was appointed by the previous Communist government to Moscow in 2009, gave an interview to a Russian news agency saying the withdrawal of 1,500 Russian troops from the separatist region of Transdnestr would be dangerous for Moldova and the region.
He was heavily criticized by the Moldovan Foreign Ministry and others.
Russia has about 1,000 troops in Transdnestr to guard Soviet-era weapons and a further 500 peacekeepers stationed at border points, which Moldova would like to leave.
