The visit paid by President Maia Sandu to Kiev represents a new level in the relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, said historian Octavian Țîcu. According to him, Chisinau should make a pact with Kyiv so as to resolve the Transnistrian issue. For his part, the president of the Party of Change Ștefan Gligor said now that Moldova obtained the EU candidate status, it should brace for an eventual military attack, IPN reports.
On Monday, June 27, President Maia Sandu paid her first visit to Ukraine after the war broke out. In the discussions she had in Kyiv with the President of Ukraine and his team, she expressed her admiration for the courage with which the Ukrainians defend their homeland from the Russian aggression, assuring that Moldova stands by Ukraine.
“The change of the status of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova into candidate countries obliges us to establish partnership relations, to overcome the problems of the past. Together with Russia’s aggression, common interests and risks appeared and cooperation is required. Let’s hope that this partnership will be constructive and efficient,” PAS MP Oazu Nantoi stated in the program “Secrets of the Power” on JurnalTV channel.
Historian Octavian Țîcu said Maia Sandu’s visit to Kyiv is late, but is extremely important. The war in Ukraine and the geopolitical context create preconditions for settling the Transnistrian conflict.
“This visit is paid in a context in which the Republic of Moldova has legitimacy. The candidate status and the coming under the EU’s umbrella open the gates to the next level. Maia Sandu’s visit that was expected would have been more courageous if it had been paid earlier, when the Presidents of the Baltic States, of Poland made visits there. It should be clear that we no longer have what to lose and do not have who to be afraid of. As long as Odessa resists, an attack from the Transnistrian region will not be staged, while Russia has limited resources for shutting us up. We enjoy plenipotentiary support, with clear statements that we can arm ourselves. We will be offered weapons for maintaining our neutrality. This firm stance will help us discuss at another level with the Transnistrian region too. The war offers the possibility of getting rid of this enclave,” stated Octavian Țîcu.
The leader of the Party of Change Ștefan Gligor said the war in Ukraine obliges Moldova to get ready for an eventual military attack, especially because the Western partners are disposed to help Moldova modernize its armed forces.
“Being neutral does not mean lacking defense capacity. The weaker we are from military viewpoint, the frailer is our neutrality. We must transmit a clear signal that we will defend ourselves valiantly if we are attacked. We need to have clarity as regards the National Army’s reform. The army should be modern and efficient,” stated Ștefan Gligor.
In the discussions with her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Maia Sandu said that the Republic of Moldova will continue supporting the Ukrainian refugees housed in Moldova, will strengthen the transportation capacities and the capacities to ensure transit via Moldova so as to organize freight transport corridors to and from Ukraine. In Kyiv, the President was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu and presidential adviser Dorin Recean.
