Russia summons Moldovan ambassador, denounces 'unfriendly actions'

FILE PHOTO: Moldovan President Maia Sandu addresses participants of a rally and concert, who celebrate the European Union's decision to open membership talks with Moldova, in Chisinau, Moldova, December 17, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's foreign ministry summoned the Moldovan ambassador on Wednesday and issued a protest against "unfriendly acts" in the latest of a series of jabs exchanged between the Kremlin and the ex-Soviet state's pro-European authorities.

A ministry statement denounced the "systematic character" of Moldovan actions it said were directed against Russian citizens. These, it said, included "politically motivated persecution" of Russian and Russian-language journalists.