Moldova is cutting the number of diplomats Russia can have in Chisinau, its foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Nicu Popescu complained about years of “hostile actions” by Moscow, noting a media report about a possible spying kit installed on the embassy’s roof.

Relations between ex-Soviet Moldova and Russia had reached new lows as pro-European President Maia Sandu had pushed to bring the small country out of Russia’s sphere of influence.

“We agreed on the need to limit the number of accredited diplomats from Russia so that there are fewer people trying to destabilise the Republic of Moldova,” Mr Popescu said at a cabinet meeting.

He said the Russian embassy had already been informed of the decision.

“For many years, we have been the object of hostile Russian actions and policies. Many of them were made through the embassy,” he said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a weekly briefing that Moldova’s decision would “not go unanswered,” calling it “another step in the destruction of bilateral relations” between the countries.

Commenting on the report about the spying gear, Ms Zakharova said: “The accusation of spying activities by employees of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau is unfounded.

“ It is a fantasy which has nothing to do with reality.”

In his remarks, Popescu alluded to the local media report about the equipment installed on the Russian embassy’s rooftop that could be used for spying.”

The report said that 28 satellite dishes, masts, and transmitting and receiving devices had been installed in the embassy and a neighbouring residential building used by diplomats and technical personnel.

(Reuters/NAN)