Five employees of Moldova’s Embassy in Moscow were declared personas non grata and are to leave the Russian Federation within three days. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said such a decision was taken in response to the expulsion of five Russian diplomats from Moldova on May 29, IPN reports.

The Ministry also said that the informative note concenring the expulsion of the Moldovan employees was handed over to the minister-adviser of Moldova’s Embassy in Russia Nicolae Myinea.

The Russian side expressed its hope that Chisinau realizes the counter-productivity of the unfriendly actions in relation to the Russian Federation and the destructive character of the step taken by the Moldovan side, which runs counter to the principles of reciprocal partnership and confidence.

On May 29, five Russian diplomats were declared personas non grata in the Republic of Moldova. The Moldovan authorities didn’t give details about the reasons for the expulsion. Prime Minister Pavel Filip said the decision was taken based on information provided by the intelligence services.