The Russian Foreign Ministry is urging its citizens to refrain from traveling to Moldova due to purported instances of “discrimination” and “harassment” by Moldovan border officials.

In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry criticized the security staff at Chisinau airport for subjecting Russian travelers to “degrading searches and examinations,” which frequently led to entry denials based on “weak justifications.”

Furthermore, it was claimed that employees at Chisinau International Airport “artificially prolonged” the screening processes for Russian passengers, resulting in missed outbound flights.

The Foreign Ministry indicated that some Russian nationals faced “unlawful detention at the border and legal action without substantial evidence.”

Additionally, the ministry stated that Moldovan authorities had disregarded diplomatic requests to access Russian citizens, rendering it “nearly impossible to provide consular assistance.”

“In light of this, the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly advises Russian citizens to be cognizant of these dangers and, if feasible, to avoid traveling to the Republic of Moldova,” the statement emphasized.

In response, Moldova’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the allegations, asserting that they “misrepresent the actual situation” in the nation.

“The Republic of Moldova is a secure destination for travelers. There are no security threats that would warrant the kind of travel advisories issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry,” the statement conveyed to The Moscow Times.

Moldovan authorities asserted that there is no discrimination against foreign nationals and that they adhere to international norms while fully respecting fundamental human rights.

Moldova, a landlocked nation with a population of 2.4 million and a significant Russian-speaking community, embarked on official negotiations to join the European Union in 2024.

The Moldovan government has accused the Kremlin of investing hundreds of millions of dollars to meddle in its electoral processes.