The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova has expressed its position after the Russian authorities decided to ban two Moldovan citizens from entering the country. This was reported by NewsMaker.


The ministry confirmed that on October 3, the Moldovan ambassador, Liliana Daria, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where he was informed of the Russian decision to ban the entry of the head of the Council on Television and Radio, Liliana Vitsu, and journalist Mikhail Sirkeli.


"This decision is part of a hostile policy towards our country. Regardless of Moscow's decisions, Moldova continues to actively counter destabilizing actions, hybrid attacks and disinformation," said Igor Zakharov, head of the Moldovan Foreign Ministry's press service.


It is important to note that Mihail Sirkeli is the founder and administrator of the Nokta portal in Comrat, the administrative center of Gagauzia.


Also, on October 3, the Moldovan ambassador, Liliana Daria, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry to protest the politically motivated persecution of Russian-language media in Moldova, including the eviction of the head of the Sputnik Moldova news agency, Vitaly Denisov, on September 13.


The Russian ministry called the decision "another example of the restriction of freedom of speech and the rights of Russian journalists in Moldova," noting that the entry restrictions apply to individuals who "have a direct connection with the restrictions on freedom of speech and the rights of Russian journalists in Moldova and incitement of anti-Russian sentiment."