CHISINAU, March 19. /TASS/. The yet another expulsion of a Russian diplomat weakens the potential of the Russian diplomatic mission in Moldova, Russian Ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov told TASS.

"Today, we receive a note declaring one of our embassy employees a persona non grata because of the organization of Russian Presidential elections in Transnistria. The yet another expulsion weakens the potential and the functionality of the Russian diplomatic mission. In turn, we underscored that the vote that took place both in Chisinau and in Transnistria proved the desired of Russia citizens living in Moldova to see Russia as an ally and a friend," Vasnetsov said.

According to the envoy, the pro-European government in Moldova continues the course towards escalation of relations.

"The decision to expel a Russian diplomat is a yet another unfriendly step of Moldovan authorities. It was made in the spirit of the last year’s groundless decision to expel a group of diplomatic employees," the diplomat noted.

"The yet another expulsion of a Russian diplomat will negatively affect the state of the Russian-Moldovan relations. We wait for a commentary from the Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, and then corresponding reciprocal actions will be determined. The actions of the Moldovan authorities will not be left without response, this is obvious," Vasnetsov concluded.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry stated its protest over the operation of voting stations for the Russian presidential election in the unrecognized Transnistria, and declared a Russian embassy employee persona non grata. Meanwhile, Vastnetsov explained that the Russian authorities received a lot of requests from the compatriots to provide an opportunity to take part in the elections. He noted that it is the goal of any diplomatic mission to contribute to protection of the legal rights and interests of its citizens.

In August, last year, the pro-European government of Moldova expelled 45 Russian embassy employees in order to reduce its staff to the that of the Moldovan mission in Moscow: 10 diplomatic employees and 15 people with administrative and technical functions. The expulsion was preceded by a number of media reports accusing Russian diplomats of espionage.