Deputy Parliament Speaker Mihai Popșoi said the Republic of Moldova cannot offer Ukraine the six MIG-29 fighter jets staying at the Mărculești Airport as the status of neutrality defined in the Constitution bans this. The Ukrainian side insists on being offered those planes because they need parts for such a type of jets. Moldova will consider the possibility of sending a team of explosive ordnance disposal technicians to Ukraine, but cannot provide military equipment to the neighboring country, IPN reports.
During a meeting between Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Chairman of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Ukrainian side asked again to be offered the six MIG-29 fighter jets staying at the Mărculești Airport. This is not the first time that Ukraine made such a request.
“This insistence can be understood. These are emotive reactions in parts and this is understandable in the situation in which our friends in Kyiv are. But we said it clearly that the Republic of Moldova cannot allow to be engaged in this conflict. Those MIG plans cannot be called flying machines as they cannot fly. They are just scarp iron. Ukraine probably needs parts of those aircraft. But, as long as there are partners that are ready to provide them with serviceable flying machines better than those in which trees are growing in Mărculești, the benefit-cost ratio is negative,” Mihai Popșoi stated in the talk show “Rezoomat” on RliveTV.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the Moldovan authorities explained to Kyiv that the Republic of Moldova cannot provide military equipment, but can detach a team of EOD technicians to Ukraine to help demine territories in Ukraine
“We are also considering other possibilities of helping, but in accordance with the law. Our Constitution provides that we are a neutral state and we also have a Constitutional Court decision that explains this status. The Republic of Moldova cannot serve as a source or as a corridor for transporting lethal weapons, munitions. Given such a constraint, we use any other means to help our Ukrainian friends, except militarily,” said Mihai Popșoi.
The six MIG-29 fighter jets at the Mărculești Airport are property of the Public Property Agency. According to representatives of the Agency, the flying machines are unserviceable.
