Bucharest, July 27 (SANA) Romania’s Foreign Ministry on Monday declared a member of the Russian diplomatic mission in Bucharest persona non grata and ordered him to leave Romanian territory within five days, while also recalling its ambassador from Moscow for consultations, the ministry said.
The move came during a summons of Russia’s ambassador to Bucharest over repeated violations of Romanian airspace between July 24 and 26, according to a ministry statement on X.
The Russian ambassador was informed of Romania’s strong protest during the meeting, and was shown parts of drones that official investigations by the Prosecutor’s Office had confirmed were of Russian origin, the ministry said.
Unacceptable violations, NATO airspace
Romania’s Foreign Ministry stressed that the continued violation of Romanian airspace—which also constitutes part of NATO and EU airspace—is unacceptable, holding Russia fully responsible for the incidents and their implications for regional security.
The ministry also announced the recall of Romania’s ambassador to Russia for consultations in Bucharest, adding that it would continue coordinating with NATO and EU allies and partners and take further measures to protect its national security and citizens.
Romanian authorities had earlier announced the downing of three drones that entered Romanian territory without authorization. President Nicușor Dan said in a post on X on Sunday that one drone shot down on Friday was an Iranian-made “Shahed” model, of the type used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The incidents mark the latest escalation in tensions between NATO members and Russia, with Romania’s eastern border serving as a strategic frontier for the alliance in the Black Sea region. NATO has condemned the violations as “irresponsible and potentially dangerous,” while Romania’s parliament has called for enhanced air defense capabilities along its border.
Kh.A / H.H
