CHISINAU -- The office of Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti says he will not attend the opening ceremonies of the Sochi Winter Olympics in February next year.



The announcement was made in Chisinau on December 18 by a presidential spokesperson.



Timofti is the latest head of state who has declined to participate in the event, after French President Francois Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck.



Commentators have said Gauck's move was in response to the Russian's government's tough stance on civil rights and its treatment of the political opposition.



The White House also announced that President Barack Obama's schedule will not allow him to attend the games.



The United States will send a delegation to the Winter Olympics in Sochi led by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.