Deputy Prime Minister explains why Russian Federation’s ambassador not accredited: Decisions must take consequences into account

Chișinău authorities have opted not to officially recognize the status of the Russian Federation’s designated ambassador to Chișinău following a careful assessment of the possible consequences. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi made the statements at a TV show.

The ambassador designated in the autumn of 2024 by the Russian Federation to Chișinău, Oleg Ozerov, has not yet presented his letters of credence. According to Popșoi, an escalation of diplomatic relations could have negative effects, without bringing concrete benefits in terms of security or the safety of citizens.

“ We have a responsibility for the consequences that may follow. Escalation is always an option, but a responsible approach requires us to ask ourselves what we achieve by doing so. Would anything change in reality? Would it improve the security situation? Would it have any impact on the drone incidents? I don’t think so. Instead, there could be economic effects or an impact on our ability to provide consular services to citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as asymmetrical reactions from Moscow,” the deputy prime minister stated.

He emphasized that decisions in public office must be taken in the interest of the state and its citizens, based on a clear analysis of benefits and costs.

“Are we ready to bear the costs of such a decision just for moral or psychological satisfaction? Decisions in public service must take into account what we gain and what the tangible consequences are. Following this exercise, the decision was to maintain the current situation, even though it is an unusual one,” Mihai Popșoi added.

Oleg Ozerov was appointed ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Moldova in the autumn of 2024, but has not yet presented his letters of credence.

At the same time, Popșoi stressed that the warnings issued by the Russian Federation, urging its citizens to avoid traveling to the Republic of Moldova, are part of a series of “hybrid schemes and attempts to destabilize and create animosities in Moldovan society.”

“They are part of this whole orchestra of hybrid schemes, of attempts to destabilize and create animosities in the society of the Republic of Moldova. We already have a certain immunity to such statements, if we can call them that, but it is certain that, as I have said publicly, the Republic of Moldova is a safe state, a peaceful state; Moldovans are known for their hospitality,” Mihai Popșoi said.

The official also referred to the warnings regarding possible dangers for our country’s citizens who are on the territory of the Russian Federation. Mihai Popșoi emphasized that such dangers still exist and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

Under these conditions, Mihai Popșoi underlined that the Republic of Moldova must continue its efforts to strengthen the resilience of state institutions and of society as a whole in the face of such external influences.

“State institutions alone will never be able to counter such an avalanche of interference in our internal affairs. Only an effort by the entire society—journalists, NGOs, every citizen through critical thinking—can do that. At the same time, it is regrettable that we also have political actors in the Republic of Moldova who embrace such approaches,” Mihai Popșoi said.

The official mentioned that in recent years the number of our country’s citizens who are in the Russian Federation has decreased dramatically.

“But there is still a significant number of citizens of the Republic of Moldova there, and we must make sure that we provide them with all the necessary support,” Mihai Popșoi stated.

According to official data presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 200,000 Moldovan citizens are currently on the territory of the Russian Federation.