The World Congress of Vine and Wine, held for the first time in the Republic of Moldova, became the scene of a diplomatic scandal. Ukrvinprom and the Ukrainian Wine Institute announced that they were suspending their participation in protest against the official presence of the Russian Federation at the event, as well as the display of the Russian flag. Subsequently, the symbols were removed, and Ukraine partially returned to the program. Minister of Agriculture Ludmila Catlabuga addressed the scandal, stating that the flag had been taken down. In turn, the Ukrainian delegation decided to continue its participation, but in a limited format.

According to a statement from the Ukrainian delegation, the decision to suspend participation was prompted by the demonstrative presence of the Russian Federation's delegation, the official display of the aggressor state's flag, and the organization of intergovernmental activities involving the Russian side.

“We believe that this ‘neutrality’ amounts to direct complicity with the aggressor. Ukraine’s participation alongside a country that kills our citizens daily and destroys our infrastructure is unacceptable and degrading,” said representatives of Ukraine’s wine industry.

“Moldova believes that the display should not have taken place, but due to the requirements of international organizations and protocol, the display of such symbols was mandatory. However, at the insistence of the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Office for Vine and Wine, we managed to resolve the protocol issues as of yesterday. In fact, the presence of the Russian delegation at this Congress, due to Moldova’s insistence, was minimized and limited to an academic level, with research papers on viticulture,” stated Minister Catlabuga following a Government meeting.

Catlabuga emphasized that the Republic of Moldova was obliged “to comply with the internal rules of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, which includes over 50 member countries.”