The government of Moldova has decided to close the Russian Center for Science and Culture (RCSC) in the capital Chisinau, authorities announced after the first meeting of the new cabinet led by Prime Minister Alexander Munteanu, News.bg reports.
Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan stated that after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the center was used as a “tool in Russia's hybrid war against Moldova“. According to him, the decision aims to protect the country's national security and information space.
“The continuation of the agreement is no longer applicable in the current geopolitical situation and could be used by the Russian Federation to spread distorted information“, Jardan said, quoted by Interfax.
Back in February, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry accused Russia of violating its airspace after several drone incidents and announced its intention to close the RCNC. In response, the ministry unilaterally terminated the 1998 intergovernmental agreement between the two countries that governed the activities of the cultural centers.