Deputy Prime Minister about recalling Moldova’s ambassador to Moscow for consultations: It is diplomatic response, used when state’s interests affected

The recall of the Republic of Moldova’s ambassador to Moscow for consultations is a diplomatic response that is used when the interests of a state are affected. This measure is necessary because our country and our citizens are exposed to constant risk due to the Russian Federation’s attacks against Ukraine, which repeatedly affect sovereignty and people’s safety. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi made the statement after the cabinet meeting.

According to the official, recall for consultations is a diplomatic procedure applied when there are certain “difficulties”, and “the crash of an explosive‑laden drone, which endangers the interests and security of our citizens, certainly affects relations with the Russian Federation”.

“Exactly the same procedure was applied in Romania’s case recently, when there were complicated situations and the country was affected by the difficult circumstances in our region. It is a standard practice in diplomacy when the national interests of a state are affected, as a response measure. There are several stages. One of them would be verbal communication, followed by a verbal note, a note of protest, summoning the ambassador to deliver the note of protest, after which the recall of that country’s ambassador for consultations to the capital may follow. There is a series of measures that can be applied,” Mihai Popșoi underlined.

The head of Moldovan diplomacy stressed that the main and only measure that can ensure the security of citizens is investment in defense.

“It is about investments in air-defense systems, in defense systems against drones and cruise missiles. Any state that respects itself, that truly cares about the safety of its citizens, must invest in national defense. The Republic of Moldova is doing this, thanks to internal resources and constant, generous support from European partners and others. We are investing in the defense sector as we have not invested for decades. These are the measures that can truly ensure the peace and safety of citizens,” Mihai Popșoi added.

A powerful explosion occurred on Sunday, August 9 this year, in the locality of Crocmaz, Ștefan Vodă district, which caused a vegetation fire. At the scene, fragments of an aerial device of the drone‑missile type were found. No person was injured as a result of the object’s crash and the resulting fire.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly condemned the incident and recalled the Republic of Moldova’s ambassador to Moscow for consultations. The institution stressed that “this incident represents a serious violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, which endangered the safety of our citizens”.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has generated, starting in 2022, a constant increase in incidents of unauthorized overflight of the Republic of Moldova’s airspace and in cases of drone and missile fragments falling on national territory. Since the beginning of the war, 53 incidents have been recorded, of which four in 2022, six in 2023, 10 in 2024, 17 in 2025, and a considerable increase in 2026, with 16 cases of unauthorized airspace overflight recorded.