Russia Condemns Moldova Over Embassy Blockade Amid Rising Tensions

Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused Moldova of violating diplomatic protocol after police in Chisinau blocked access to its embassy, citing a bomb threat. The incident further strains relations between Moscow and Moldova’s pro-European government, which has strongly opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, security forces prevented Ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov from entering the embassy, while staff, including women and children, were unable to leave. Moscow claimed it had received no prior notice of the bomb threat and viewed the blockade as a breach of the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. The Russian government summoned Moldova’s ambassador to protest the incident.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has repeatedly accused the Kremlin of attempting to destabilize her government. The former Soviet republic has increasingly aligned itself with the West, seeking European Union membership while distancing itself from Moscow’s influence.

Chisinau police confirmed receiving a bomb threat at the embassy but provided no further details. The blockade was eventually lifted, but Russia warned Moldova to uphold international diplomatic agreements moving forward.

Tensions between the two nations have been escalating, with Moldova expelling Russian diplomats and accusing Moscow of election interference. As Moldova deepens ties with the EU, its relationship with Russia remains fragile, raising concerns of further geopolitical conflict.