**Romania Expels Russian Diplomats**
On March 5, Romania took a rare step in expelling two Russian diplomats. Victor Makovskiy and Evgeny Ignatiev were kicked out for breaking diplomatic rules.
“We don’t take this kind of measure easily,” said Andrei Tarnea, a spokesperson for the Romanian Foreign Ministry. “It’s only taken when the breaches are serious.”
The decision was made public, but the details weren’t shared. However, it’s believed to be connected to the campaign of Romania’s presidential candidate, Calin Georgescu.
**Georgescu and His Controversy**
Calin Georgescu is a far-right politician who ran for president in November. He won the first round with almost 23% of the vote, despite being unknown. However, his campaign was later annulled due to allegations of Russian interference.
Georgescu has been under investigation for misreporting his campaign finances and promoting war criminals. He even praised Romania’s World War II fascist leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
**Consequences**
Romania’s decision to expel the diplomats hasn’t gone unnoticed. The US has spoken out against it, calling it a mistake. The Trump administration is increasingly critical of its European partners.
The rescheduled presidential vote in May will likely see Georgescu as the front-runner. His campaign on social media has been massive and successful. However, his ties to Russia have raised concerns about his intentions.
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