Russia’s military attaché to Bucharest and his deputy were declared personae non gratae in an unprecedented move by Romanian authorities on Wednesday.
The military, air and naval attaché Victor Makovskiy and his deputy Evgeny Ignatiev were expelled for carrying out activities that contravened the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“It is an exceptional measure. It is not a common measure. It is not a measure taken easily, and it is taken when the breaches are grave,” Romanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Andrei Tarnea, told Euronews Romania.
Following the announcement to expel the diplomats, Euronews Romania quoted sources that said Makovskiy and Ignatiev were linked to the far-right 2024 presidential election candidate Calin Georgescu and his campaign.
On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence (SVR) alleged that European Union leaders were “clearly” being behind the decision to bring criminal charges against Georgescu, who was indicted on Feb. 26 for criminal offenses.
Romania officials reacted angrily to the Russian statement with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu saying: “Russia cannot dictate who Romanians should elect”
Georgescu, dubbed the “TikTok Messiah,” unexpectedly won the first round of Romania’s presidential elections, which was then annulled following the declassification of intelligence reports showing Russian interference on social media to boost the then-little known candidate.
Georgescu is facing criminal proceedings including acts against the constitution and lying about his campaign finances.
He is also facing charges linked to his support for sympathizers of the Iron Guard, a pre-World War II fascist and antisemitic movement, which is illegal.
Euronews Romania’s sources said Ignatiev’s name appears in the files gathered during the investigation into Georgescu.
Georgescu has been implicated for being in contact with Marian Motocu, the leader of the right-wing extremist “Movement 41” organization, who is also facing trial for inciting hatred and promoting antisemitic doctrine, and another hard-right figure, mercenary Horațiu Potra.
The Kremlin on Wednesday stated that it will issue “an appropriate response” to Makovskiy and Ignatiev’s expulsion, Russian state-owned outlet Tass reported, citing a Russian Foreign Ministry official.
Romanian politics has gained international attention after top allies of US President Donald Trump, including with his Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr all backing Georgescu or criticizing Bucharest for annulling the December vote.
Russia takes aim at Romania for investigating ex-presidential candidate Călin Georgescu
