This move marks another chapter in the strained ties between Bucharest and Moscow, which have been deteriorating significantly since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

A History of Diplomatic Expulsions

This is not the first time Romania has expelled Russian diplomats. Such actions have become increasingly frequent in recent years:

• July 2024: Romania expelled a Russian diplomat following allegations of espionage involving a Romanian citizen who provided sensitive military information to the Russian Embassy in Bucharest. Russia responded by declaring a Romanian diplomat persona non grata in Moscow.
• July 2023: Romania expelled 40 Russian diplomats and embassy staff, drastically reducing the size of Russia’s diplomatic mission in Bucharest. This followed earlier expulsions in 2022, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began.
• April 2022: Romania joined other European Union nations in expelling several Russian diplomats as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

These incidents are emblematic of a broader pattern of reciprocal actions between Romania and Russia, reflecting deepening mistrust and geopolitical divergence.

Geopolitical Context

Romania’s firm stance against Russia stems from its alignment with NATO and EU policies, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Bucharest has consistently condemned Russian aggression and taken steps to limit Moscow’s influence in the region. This includes banning Russian delegations from attending international events in Romania, such as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in 2024.

In response, Russia has also taken retaliatory measures. For instance, it closed Romania’s consulate-general in Rostov-on-Don in October 2024, citing “unfriendly actions.” These tit-for-tat measures underscore the frosty relations between the two nations.

The ongoing cycle of diplomatic expulsions highlights the bilateral tensions between Romania and Russia and the broader geopolitical rift between Moscow and Western-aligned nations. As Romania continues asserting its position as a staunch NATO ally, these diplomatic confrontations will likely persist, further straining an already fragile relationship.

While such actions are symbolic demonstrations of sovereignty and disapproval, they also reflect a more profound struggle for influence and security in Eastern Europe—a region increasingly defined by its resistance to Russian aggression.

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The measure to expel 40 diplomats from the Russian Embassy was taken on June 8 after the Russian Ambassador to Bucharest, Valery Kuzmin, implied on June 6 that Romania is a softer country than all the others, which took similar measures. Nonetheless, Romania had expelled other diplomats in the past.

A special clearance was issued for the Russian plane, which will take the diplomats to Moscow, as all Russian aircraft flights are forbidden in the EU space. The Ilyushin IL-96 is authorized to land on Otopeni and take off at 12.30.

According to the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia is reducing the number of officials in Romania by 11 diplomats and 29 employees from the technical-administrative sector.

The choice of the positions that will be reduced and the people who will have to leave Romania will belong (in this phase) to the Russian Federation, respecting the limitations related to each category (diplomats, respectively, technical-administrative personnel). Thus, the total number of diplomatic and technical-administrative positions of the Russian Federation in Romania is reduced by 61%, and the adequate number of personnel by 55.5%

Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Even if the Russian personnel had one week more to comply with the Romanian authorities’ request, their Embassy decided to carry out the mission earlier. Initially, they had 30 days to comply with the request.

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While inside the United Nations building in Kenya’s capital on April 26, a monkey appeared at the conference room window. “The African group has joined us,” he said, according to a note from the South Sudanese embassy in Kenya seen by AFP. Witnesses stated that no African group was present in the conference room at that time, so the remark was clearly referring to the animal at the window.

Calling Africans monkeys is not only a serious diplomatic incident, as it came from the Ambassador, but also an insult to all the African peoples in the region.

In a formal letter, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its regret over the incident.

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions that regrettably, contrary to the institution’s rules, including those of conduct and ethics, the Romanian Ambassador to Kenya did not inform the MFA headquarters about the incident that took place at the end of April 2023. Romanian ambassador to Kenya should return to Romania as soon as possible, and the MFA’s internal Control and Diplomatic Evaluation Unit should immediately scan the necessary procedures, including the establishment of necessary internal measures to be taken in the given situation. We deeply regret this situation and offer our apologies to all those who have been affected; any behaviours or comments of a racist nature are completely unacceptable. We hope it will not affect ties with African countries.

Romanian MFA over the ambassador to Kenya incident

Also, according to the official press release, Dragos Tigau has apologized for the incident, including in written form. According to sources, the African diplomats expect public apologies from the Romanian ambassador.

Racism is visible in Romania; if one lives in the country long enough, one will notice it. Although billions in European funds poured over the country in the last decade to combat this situation, racism remained a problem, acknowledged by NGOs and individuals but not bluntly admitted by authorities.

But here we talk about the quality of Romania’s diplomatic corps. It’s also visible that the MFA – Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is not at its peak, diplomatically speaking. Also, its personnel seems to have missed basic training and diplomacy classes.

Without proper training and lacking valuable people, there is no wonder why other countries, including neighbouring Bulgaria, Hungary or Moldova, are way ahead regarding influence in the region.

Romania seems to be a mere spectator to what other nations accomplish regarding diplomacy. The incident in discussion is the best possible explanation for the country’s failures so far.

Romania’s ties with African countries won’t probably be affected to such an extent that it will matter. Still, all African nations will look differently at Romanian diplomats from now on. On one good sunshine day, all this will probably matter.

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