国际英语新闻:Russia expels Moldovan, Estonian diplomats in retaliation

MOSCOW, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday ordered five Moldovan and two Estonian diplomats to leave Russia in retaliation for the expulsion of seven Russian diplomats from the two countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Minister-Counsellor of the Moldovan Embassy Nicolae Miinea to declare five diplomats from the embassy "persona non grata" and asked them to leave Russia within three days.

On Monday, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry expelled five Russian diplomats without explaining the reason.

The expulsion of the Russian diplomats angered Moldova's pro-Russia president Igor Dodon, who warned on Facebook that it could undermine the dialogue with Moscow.

"I am deeply outraged by this unfriendly step ... I categorically condemn it," said Dodon, who is at odds with his coalition government's pro-West officials.

On the same day, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Estonian Ambassador Arti Hilpus, declaring two diplomats from the Estonian Consulate in St. Petersburg were "persona non grata" and have to leave Russia within five days.

It came after the Estonian Foreign Ministry expelled two diplomats of the Russian Consulate in the city of Narva on May 26, giving no reasons.

"The continuing destructive policy of the Estonian authorities will inevitably have the most negative impact on bilateral relations. All responsibility for the consequences of this policy rests with the Estonian side," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Estonia was part of the Soviet Union and gained independence in 1991. The Baltic country joined the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2004.