Well, I agree that it was not the most intelligent comment that a politician could have made in such a delicate question, so I can see why Romanians are enraged.
On the other hand, Romania should not have gotten involved. This was between Russia and Moldova, and the feud over Transnistria has been going on for some time. A bit of reporting from RT (I'll quote some statement that caught my attention the most):
Stuck in rogue airspace: Moldova seizes Transnistria petitions from Russian delegation jethttp://rt.com/news/158164-moldova-rogozin-airspace-romania/ “Moldovan secret services on-board our plane are confiscating boxes with Transdniestrians’ signatures for reunification with Russia,” Russian Deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin tweeted.
These documents, according to Rogozin, were transferred to him by activists during his visit to Tiraspol for Victory Day celebrations.
“Yesterday we received signatures that were handed to us by activists of the Union of Russian Communities,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.
Shouldn't he have some immunity from searches? On the other just recently the Bolivian president's plane was force-landed and searched for Snowden...
The Moldovan authorizes were able to seize the documents after the plane carrying Russian politicians was forced to land in Chisinau after both Ukraine and Romania restricted its airspace to the Russian Rusjet Yak 42.
On Saturday, Rogozin tweeted that Romania closed its airspace “at the request of the US.” Ukraine also banned the plane from flying over its territory.
Here is the offending statement in question:
“Upon a US request, Romania has closed its air space for my plane,” he tweeted. “Ukraine doesn't allow me to pass through again. Next time I'll fly on board TU-160,” he said implying that with all the neighboring airspaces closed only Russia's largest strategic bomber could pierce through.
So, the US trace again... But, oh the music of the word "sanctions". It can justify anything:
“The threat of using a Russian strategic bomber plane by a Russian deputy prime minister is a very grave statement under the current regional context,” the statement read.
Romania justified its own actions by “simply following sanctions” imposed by the EU against Russia over Ukraine, although it remains unclear how the visa ban of one person is related to the rejection of crossing airspace for the whole aircraft.
The Romanians did not mention why the same rules were not followed during Rogozin's initial travel to Tiraspol on May 8, when his plane was forced by Ukraine – and was allowed to – fly over Bulgaria and Romania to reach the veterans of Transnistria for Victory Day celebrations.
“Our plane was ordered to return to Chisinau, threatening forced landing in Ukraine,” Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's culture minister said on Saturday, explaining that at first, the jet was cleared for takeoff, but as the flight just started to ascend, it was forced down, most likely following Washington's request. Kiev itself explained that Rusjet (RSJ) was not given flight permission “in connection with gross violations of Ukraine's airspace use, namely landing at a closed Simferopol airport.”
About Transnistria:
Transnistria is a breakaway region of Moldova located between the River Dniester and the eastern Moldovan border with Ukraine. Since its declaration of independence in 1990, unrecognized by the UN, and the War of Transnistria in 1992, it has been governed as an autonomous territorial unit with special legal status. Most of its citizens speak Russian. Up to 1,500 Russian peacekeepers are protecting order there, under the agreement with Moldova.
