CHISINAU, December 18. /TASS/. Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration has recalled the country’s Ambassador to Russia Andrei Negutsa for consultations, the ministry said in a statement.

"Taking into account the increased incidence of persecution of Moldova’s officials and politicians by the Russian state institutions, and the lack of response to numerous official requests by the Moldavan authorities concerning those incidents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration has decided to recall Ambassador Andrei Negutsa for consultations for an indefinite period," the statement reads.

The ministry added that "during the upcoming consultations, ways to overcome the current situation will be considered that would make it possible to avoid actions undermining relations between Moldova and Russia," which, according to Chisinau, "should be based on friendship, trust and mutual respect."

The Moldovan presidential press service told TASS that Igor Dodon’s response to the decision made by the Foreign Ministry, which is controlled by the ruling pro-EU coalition, would be made public shortly. The country’s president has said many times that the Foreign Ministry had been hindering his efforts to restore relations with Russia.