The number of Moldovan citizens who want to return to Moldova from Russia has increased the past two weeks. The situation is more difficult with the Moldovans who hold Russian nationality and are in Russia as they are obliged to comply with the legislation of the country in which they are, including related to mobilization. It is absolutely clear that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, no matter where they are, do not want to be engaged in the war, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, said in a news conference held jointly with the Minister of State for Europe of the UK Leo Docherty, who is in Chisinau on a visit, IPN reports.
“It is absolutely illegal for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to be engaged as mercenaries and, evidently, we call again on our citizens not to become involved in this war (in Ukraine) somehow,” stated the Moldovan official.
Nicu Popescu noted that the Republic of Moldova is a neutral state but neutrality does not imply self-isolation. On the contrary, neutrality means investing in the state’s capacity to defend this neutrality, the country, the citizens and the foreign partnerships need to be therefore developed.
“The British Government now shows zero tolerance of the presence, in London or in other parts of the UK, of individuals and of money that somehow support the regime of Putin. There were introduced harsh penalties and frozen billions. This shows that we have a very serious attitude to this situation and are no way a safe place for those who support the regime of Putin,” stated Minister of State for Europe Leo Docherty.
He noted that as regards particular controversial individuals, the British authorities are ready to cooperate with the Moldovan authorities so that these persons are brought to justice.
On September 21, the Russian Preside Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization in Russia, covering 300,000 reservists. The Moldovan citizens who also hold Russian nationality and are in Russia are also affected by mobilization.
