MOSCOW
Romania on Monday summoned the Russian ambassador following repeated violations of its airspace by drones, and declared an embassy employee persona non grata.
“Upon instructions from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bucharest was summoned today to the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the Foreign Ministry said on US social media company X.
It said the ambassador was summoned as a “firm response” to repeated violations of Romania’s airspace for past three days, July 24-26, and that the armed forces downed three drones.
“The Russian diplomat was presented with fragments of a drone destroyed on Romanian territory, components which official prosecutor investigations have confirmed to be of Russian origin,” the ministry said.
It described the actions as “illegal and irresponsible,” and that “it is absolutely inadmissible and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romania’s airspace.”
It said the Romanian side also pointed to Russia’s responsibility for the incidents and “for the deterioration of the regional security environment.”
“During the meeting, an official Note Verbale was handed to the Russian Ambassador, notifying the decision to declare a member of the mission of the Russian Federation in Bucharest undesirable, requiring them to leave Romanian territory within 5 days,” it said.
The ministry also recalled Romania’s ambassador in Russia to Bucharest for consultations.
“Romania will continue to coordinate its response closely with its NATO and EU Allies and partners, remaining firmly committed to adopting all necessary measures to protect national security and its citizens,” the statement added.
In response to the move, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Bucharest’s accusations and claims as “unfounded.”
“These unfriendly actions will receive a proper response,” she told Russian state news agency TASS.
