Russia's Foreign Ministry said on November 6 that it had summoned Moldova's ambassador to protest what the Kremlin described as the "hostile and discriminatory" treatment of Russian election observers by Moldovan authorities. Moldova's pro-Western incumbent President Maia Sandu defeated Russia-friendly challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo in a November 3 runoff vote in balloting marred by accusations of Russian interference and voter fraud. Moscow, without providing evidence, has claimed the vote was unfair and refuses to recognize Sandu as the legitimate president of the country. International election observers said the election was administered "efficiently and professionally."
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