Romania Expels Russian Military Attache and Deputy in Rare Diplomatic Action
TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com
In an unprecedented move, Romanian authorities declared Russia's military attaché, Victor Makovskiy, and his deputy, Evgeny Ignatiev, personae non gratae on Wednesday. The two diplomats were expelled for engaging in activities that violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, according to a statement from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"This is an exceptional measure. It is not a common measure, and it is only taken when the breaches are severe," said Romanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Andrei Tarnea, in an interview with Euronews Romania. "Generally, the reasons behind such decisions are not shared publicly, but they are communicated directly to the authorities of the concerned states."
Romania's diplomatic actions come after intelligence reports suggested that both Makovskiy and Ignatiev had ties to Călin Georgescu, a controversial politician and presidential candidate who ran in Romania's 2024 elections. Georgescu, known as the "TikTok Messiah," had advanced to the second round of voting before the country’s constitutional court annulled the election results. The annulment followed revelations that Russian influence campaigns, using social media to boost Georgescu's profile, had been at play.
Georgescu is under criminal investigation for anticonstitutional activities, campaign finance violations, and his support for the Iron Guard, a pre-World War II fascist movement. These actions, as well as his alleged connections to Russian figures, have raised alarm.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Ignatiev’s name surfaced in files gathered during inquiries into Georgescu's campaign. It is also alleged that Marian Motocu, the leader of the far-right "Movement 41" group, reached out to the Russian Embassy last September seeking Ignatiev. Motocu, who is on trial for inciting hatred and promoting antisemitic views, has ties to both Georgescu and Horațiu Potra, a mercenary and former French Foreign Legion member, who was detained in December for allegedly planning protests in support of Georgescu.
Potra, charged with weapons offenses and incitement to unlawful protests, was eventually released but remains under investigation. Further inquiries have revealed that the three figures — Georgescu, Motocu, and Potra — may have been plotting to form a militia aimed at infiltrating Romanian institutions.
According to prosecutors, Georgescu and Motocu exchanged 150 messages discussing plans, with Georgescu allegedly promising Motocu a role in any future actions, should their plan succeed.
In response to Romania’s expulsion of its diplomats, Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the move, calling it "unjustified and unfriendly." Russia’s charge d'affaires in Romania, Yelena Kopnina, warned that Russia would reserve the right to take retaliatory measures. "An appropriate response will be issued," TASS reported.
Meanwhile, the situation has garnered attention from prominent allies of U.S. President Donald Trump. Figures like Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump Jr. have voiced support for Georgescu or criticized Bucharest's annulment of the December election, highlighting the increasing influence of Romanian politics in broader geopolitical discussions.
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