President Igor Dodon, who was in Moscow on a visit, had a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on July 14. The officials discussed the bilateral relations and the situation in the region, including in the security sector, IPN reports.

“We follow attentively the developments in our neighboring states, including the Republic of Moldova, and see the efforts made to normalize the Moldovan-Russian relations and will contribute to these. I think you already know that the President’s special representative for the development of trade and economic relations with the Republic of Moldova was named. This is the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Dmitri Kozak. I hope that he, with his experience, will significantly contribute to advancing our interaction,” Vladimir Putin stated in the meeting, being quoted in a press release that was placed on the official website of the President of Russia.

Igor Dodon said both positive and negative developments have been witnessed in the Moldovan-Russian relations. Among the positive ones were the significant rise in the volume of Moldovan products exported to Russia during the past 18 months, after his first official visit to Moscow, and also the solving of the problem of migrants and the results achieved in the Transnistrian settlement process.

“Our position is concrete and very clear. We want to be friends with everyone, but do not want to be used geopolitically against someone. We do not intend to cooperate with the West against Russia. This is my position. Even if there is a Government and a parliamentary majority in Moldova that have a different opinion, the situation will change in several months, after the elections,” noted Igor Dodon.

In a posting on Facebook, the President said his Russian counterpart accepted and is ready to examine his request to offer free Russian equipment for the needs of the large localities of Moldova. He voiced hope that this Russian assistance will start to reach the Moldovan communities during the next months.

Igor Dodon specified that in the meeting he thanked Vladimir Putin for the invitation to pay an official visit to the Russian Federation in autumn, in a period that will be agreed by the sides. According to him, this visit will substantially contribute to strengthening the long-term strategic partnership relations between Moldova and Russia.