President Igor Dodon suspended the September 6 Government decision on the participation by Moldovan service members in military training in Ukraine. On a social networking site, Igor Dodon wrote that for the first time he used his constitutional right as President to suspend a Government decision, IPN reports.

According to Igor Dodon, the Government violated provisions of the Law on National Defense, which say that the participation by units and subunits of the National Army in common military exercises together with other states with personnel, armament and military equipment is authorized by the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, which is the President. “The Republic of Moldova is a neutral state and the Moldovan service members should not take part in military exercises held under the aegis of a military bloc. We will not yet hamper the participation by Moldovan service members in peacekeeping exercises under the aegis of the UN,” wrote Igor Dodon.

He also said that the armed forces, including the Ministry of Defense, are in a deplorable state, which is the most critical ever. “These forces should be fully reformed, in accordance with the status of neutrality, while those who destroyed the property, infrastructure, sold armament and caused such a situation will be held accountable, including criminally,” warned Igor Dodon.

On September 5, President Dodon requested the Ministry of Defense to stop the preparations for the participation by 57 National Army soldiers in the Rapid Trident exercise that will take place at the Ukrainian combat training center Yavoriv during September 7-24. On September 6, the Government assumed responsibility for the service members’ participation in the training in Ukraine. “I cannot understand the motives and arguments for such a refusal. That’s why today we will take a decision on the participation by service members of the National Army in the training in Ukraine,” the Premier stated at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting.