Russia Removes Romanian and EU Flags After Consulate Closure in St. Petersburg

The Romanian General Consulate in Saint Petersburg has officially vacated its premises following a diplomatic dispute, according to reports by the Russian state news agency TASS. The closure follows a reciprocal expulsion of diplomatic personnel between Bucharest and Moscow.

Consulate Staff Vacates Saint Petersburg Facility

Consulate personnel cleared the Saint Petersburg building on a Friday morning, removing all interior goods, according to TASS. Romanian and European Union flags, alongside the entrance plaque bearing the institution’s name, were taken down. Only parking boundary posts bearing the markings of the General Consulate of Romania remained in front of the structure.

Diplomatic Retaliation and Reciprocity in Bilateral Relations

The closure follows an announcement on June 25 that Russia decided to shut down the General Consulate of Romania in the country’s second-largest city, declaring the Romanian consul general persona non grata. According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the move was a direct reaction to Bucharest’s withdrawal of consent for the operation of the Russian General Consulate in Constanța and the expulsion of the head of that office.

Nicușor Dan addressed the diplomatic fallout during a press briefing, stating that this kind of retaliatory reciprocity always occurs in international relations. Nicușor Dan noted that Russia offered no alternative justification for the measure, and confirmed that Romania would not issue a counter-response.

Origins of the Consular Closures

The sequence of diplomatic expulsions began following an incident involving a drone that fell on an apartment block in Galați, injuring two Romanian citizens, according to statements from Nicușor Dan. In response to that event, Romania closed the Russian consulate in Constanța and expelled the resident consul. Nicușor Dan defended the decision as a proportional measure taken by Romania.

Frequently Asked Questions