Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared one of the staff members of the Russian Federation’s embassy in Bucharest persona non grata. The diplomat has been ordered to leave the country within five days.
The decision follows repeated violations of Romanian airspace between 24 and 26 July. During this period, the Romanian Armed Forces shot down three unmanned aerial vehicles that had entered national territory without authorization. According to an official investigation by the prosecutor’s office, fragments of one of the drones, which were shown to the Russian ambassador, are of Russian origin.
On the instructions of Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu, Russia’s Ambassador to Romania, Vladimir Lipaev, was summoned to the ministry. He was handed an official note verbale notifying him of the expulsion of a member of the diplomatic mission and was also presented with a strong protest. The Romanian side stressed that such actions are “absolutely inadmissible and intolerable,” as Romania’s airspace is also that of NATO and the European Union. Full responsibility for the incidents and the deterioration of the regional security situation was attributed solely to the Russian Federation.
In addition, Romania’s Foreign Ministry has recalled its ambassador from Moscow to Bucharest for consultations. The ministry stated that the country will continue to coordinate its actions with its NATO and EU allies and will take all necessary measures to protect national security and its citizens