Moldova says it expels Russian diplomat over polling stations in breakaway Transdniestria

Moldova expelled a Russian diplomat over the opening of polling stations for Russia's presidential election in its breakaway region of Transdniestria, the foreign ministry said, after summoning the Russian ambassador on Tuesday.

The ministry has twice summoned Oleg Vasnetsov to protest the opening of the polling stations in Transdniestria, a pro-Russian enclave, despite Moldova's opposition.

Moldova's President Maia Sandu said Russian presidential elections in Transdniestria disrespected Moldova's sovereignty and promised a government response at a press conference on Monday.

The country's relations with Russia have become strained since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which Moldova's government has strongly condemned.

"We don't want a relationship with a regime that kills innocent people every day," Sandu said about relations with Russia on Monday.

Sandu's government expelled the unnamed Russian diplomat on Tuesday in protest against the opening of six polling stations in Transdniestria instead of one polling station in Moldova's capital Chisinau as previously agreed.

The Russian ambassador dismissed the complaints last week, saying that polling stations were meant to ensure Russian citizens could participate in the elections.