Russia Expels Estonian and Moldovan Diplomats

June 1, 2017

Russia has expelled seven foreign diplomats in a retaliatory move after Russian officials were asked to leave Estonia and Moldova earlier this week.

Two Estonian and five Moldovan diplomats were ordered to leave Russia Thursday.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the decision was in response to “unfriendly actions” from the Estonian and Moldovan governments.

Russia's Consul General in Narva, Dmitry Kazennov and Consul Andrei Surgayev were asked to leave Tallin on Friday, while five more unnamed Moscow officials were expelled from Chisinau on May 29.

Neither country has given an official explanation for the decision.

In a statement, Moscow said Estonia and Moldova's expulsions were "destructive" and warned they would damage bilateral relations.

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