Russia’s foreign ministry summoned Moldova’s ambassador to Moscow on Tuesday to protest the “persecution” of Russian media in that country following the expulsion of the local director of the Sputnik news agency in September, AFP reported.

Sputnik and RTPhoto: Kostyantyn Mikhalchevsky / Sputnik / Profimedia

“The Moldovan side expressed a firm protest against the current politically motivated persecution of Russian-language mass media in the Republic of Moldova,” the ministry said in a statement.

In particular, he mentioned the expulsion by the Republic of Moldova on September 13 of the director of the Moldovan branch of Sputnik, Vitalii Denisov, accused by Chisinau of “disinformation and propaganda”.

The representative of the Government stated that, excluding Denisov, the national government “protects the interests of citizens”.

“The authorities absolutely do not tolerate fake news. The institution, of which the relevant citizen was a member, constantly faced informational attacks, lies, propaganda and disinformation. Our message is clear: we will continue to protect the interests of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. It is up to each of us, from the whole society, regardless of political ideology or the language we speak, not to allow anyone to divide or weaken our country with propaganda and harmful content,” said government spokesman Daniel Voda.

In response, Russia decided to ban the entry into its territory of “a number of persons who are directly involved in restricting the freedom of speech and rights of Russian journalists in the Republic of Moldova, as well as in inciting anti-Russian sentiments,” the report says. ministry.

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, pro-European President Maia Sandu has regularly criticized the intervention and attempts to provoke the country, which she sees as orchestrated by Moscow.

Accused of being tools of “disinformation” by the Kremlin, the media outlets Sputnik and RT have been banned from broadcasting in the EU since March 2022, both on cable and online, following an agreement reached on the 27th shortly after the conflict began.

Sputnik Moldova is a pro-Russian portal, the site has been blocked by the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) of the Republic of Moldova since February 26, 2022 for supporting the war started by Russia in Ukraine. A day later, Sputnik and Russia Today were banned in the European Union.

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