President Igor Dodon, even if he has only symbolic powers, made particular progress in improving the relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation, said invitees of the talk show “Key issue” on NTV Moldova channel, IPN reports.

“These meetings, the measures that are taken and the fact that Russia treats Moldova’s problems with understanding are a plus for our state and our society,” said politologist Pavel Midrigan. He noted that the Russian market remains important for Moldova and should be kept.

Socialist MP Vladimir Turcan said the open and concrete support of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President Igor Dodon’s position on the strategic partnership with the Russian Federation are very important. “Vladimir Putin noted that Russia intends to support the forces that, together with Igor Dodon, will go in this direction. It is about the reanimation of the strategic relations with the Russian Federation,” stated the MP.

Political analyst Anatol Taranu said the Republic of Moldova needs strategic relations with Russia, but not at any cost. “The rupture in relations occurred when the Republic of Moldova tried to state its position on sovereignty,” he stated. The analyst wondered what price will be paid for the Transnistrian conflict to be settled, as President Vladimir Putin promised. According to him, it is inadmissible for this to happen in exchange for obeying the Russian policy and losing sovereignty.

President of Moldova Igor Dodon had a meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the meetings of the CIS Council of Heads of State and the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council held in Sochi. The Moldova official spoke about the Transnistrian conflict, saying Moldova is for politically resolving the dispute within the talks in the “5+2” format, by respecting the sovereignty and territory integrity of Moldova and giving a special status to the Transnistrian region.