The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine should combine forces so as to solve the common problems, primarily fighting of corruption and counteracting of the negative influence of Russia that is trying to regain control over both of the countries. The visit paid by the new President of Moldova Maia Sandu to Kiev creates preconditions for such cooperation. Such opinions were stated in a roundtable meeting entitled “Ukraine – Moldova: New Opportunities and Integration Perspectives” that was organized by the charity foundation Accent.
The foundation’s director Oleg Lisnii said the Ukrainians followed the elections in Moldova and were curious to see where Maia Sandu will go on her first visit abroad. The fact that she chose Kiev is gladdening. This visit practically unlocked the interaction format at presidential level. This interaction had been absent for over five years. The leaders of the two countries came with a clear signal – Moldova and Ukraine are strategic partners. In particular, Maia Sandu and Volodymyr Zelensky announced the creation of a presidential council for efficiently solving the problems from the agendas of the two states. They noted the two countries will support each other on the path of European integration.
Oleg Lisnii expressed his conviction that this rapprochement infuriated “the brother from the Kremlin” who believes that these two states should be under his sphere of influence. Both of the Presidents have reserved positions on Russia and at least Volodymyr Zelensky knows that Russia is an enmity and this enemy wants to destroy the two countries or to bring them back “under brotherly control”.
Ukrainian expert Levus Dmitro noted that the relations between Moldova and Ukraine are being revitalized. The two countries aim to integrate into the EU and achieved significant results in this regard. At the same time, Moscow does not stop the attempts to regain control over Moldova, Ukraine, the Transnistrian region of Moldova or other regions of Ukraine. After Maia Sandu’s visit to Kiev, they say the European integration could take place through regional integration, by projects as part of the EaP, in the field of ecology, the economy, etc.
Ukrainian expert Artem Filipenko said Maia Sandu’s visit to Ukraine was successful, but the achievement of the set goals depends on the intergovernmental decisions. However, even according to the most optimistic scenario, a fully-fledged Government in Moldova can be invested in August or even in autumn and what was launched will be on hold.
Moldovan MP of the Party of Acton and Solidary Oazu Nantoi noted that the problems of the two states are related to national security, infrastructure, economic relations, communication, the Nistru River. Such a corrupt state like Moldova cannot defend itself from Russia’s aggression. It is under the influence of Russia because ex-President Igor Dodon represented the mafia clan that dealt with the underground economy and was even an FSB agent. Moldova and Ukraine should have state bodies that would really cooperate to solve the exiting problems. For the relations between the two states to move to another level, a new Parliament and a new Government are needed.
Egor Chernev, Ukrainian MP, said Moldova and Ukraine must unite to fight the informational, hybrid, military aggression of the Russian Federation by different types of cooperation, including inter-parliamentary one.
Moldovan expert in political sciences Vitalie Andrievschi said there are Russian parties in Ukraine and Moldova and they are namely Russian, not orientated to Russia. They work only in the interests of Russia and fulfill the Kremlin’s orders. In Moldova, it is more difficult as Russia has its propaganda TV channels. To keep the national identity and values, Moldova should not be afraid to tell Russia to withdraw its troops from the Transnistria region, to speak about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and to admit that Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation.
