Why Russia summoned Moldovan Ambassador in Moscow

According to Reuters, Russia said on January 27 that it had summoned Moldovan Ambassador to Moscow Lilian Darii to protest what the Russian Foreign Ministry called "baseless accusations" by a Moldovan political party against the Russian Ambassador to Chisinau.

Moldova's Ambassador to Russia Lilian Darii. (Source: moldova1.md)

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the political party had called for the expulsion of the Russian ambassador and restrictions on the work of the Russian embassy.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu told her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on January 25 that Russia was orchestrating an energy crisis in her country with the aim of bringing a pro-Moscow government to power there.

Russia denies any interference in Moldova's internal affairs.

On the same day, January 25, RT reported that hundreds, even thousands of people in the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova took to the streets to protest, demanding that the country, a candidate for EU membership, restore gas supplies amid a severe energy crisis and cold weather. Protests took place in many major cities such as Bender, Ribnita and Dubasari.

The crisis began when Russian energy giant Gazprom announced last month that it could no longer supply gas to Europe via Ukraine's pipeline network because Kiev refused to extend a transit agreement, which expires at the end of 2024.

Russian gas was previously transported via Ukraine to Moldova and other European countries, then Moldova forwarded the gas to Transnistria in exchange for electricity.

However, supplies were cut off after Kiev terminated its contract with Gazprom and shut down the gas pipeline system from Russia. Moldova also refused to restore gas supplies to Transnistria, citing international sanctions.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ly-do-nga-trieu-dai-su-moldova-tai-moscow-302488.html