Russia has barred entry to several Moldovan officials following Moldova’s “hostile” decision to expel 22 Russian diplomats, the Russian Foreign Ministry said today, in a further deterioration of already strained bilateral relations.

Moldova, a former Soviet republic, has been hit by Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine. Moldova’s pro-EU president, Maya Sandu, condemned Russia’s invasion and accused Moscow of trying to destabilize her country.

Twenty-two Russian diplomats left the Moldovan capital of Chisinau on August 14, leaving a minimal staff behind.

“… this hostile step leads to the further destruction of Russian-Moldovan relations, which are already in deep crisis, due to the actions of the Moldovan side,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement after summoning Chisinau’s ambassador to Moscow to express his disapproval.

The ambassador was informed that “as an asymmetric response, entry to the Russian Federation was closed to a number of officials of the Republic of Moldova,” the ministry said.

He did not name the Moldovans affected by the ban or say how many there were.

Moldova borders Ukraine and Romania, which is a member of NATO.