President Igor Dodon, as the supreme commander of the armed forces, signed an order by which he bans the participation by service members of the National Army of the Republic of Moldova in exercises, operations, studies, missions, training, courses and any other type of events abroad, without his prior consent. The President also requested to dismiss the deputy minister of defense, who now serves as acting minister, for the violation of the order of the supreme commander of the armed forces concerning the participation by National Army personnel in military exercises in Ukraine, IPN reports.
Igor Dodon told a news conference that he ordered to open an internal inquiry at the armed forces so as to identify the persons who violated the supreme commander’s order and to impose penalties on these, such as relegation in military ranks and posts. “Given that some of the managers of the Ministry of Defense acted arbitrarily and in breach of the decision of the supreme commander of the armed forces, I consider these acts represent serious disciplinary deviations and infringement of the sworn military oath,” said the President.
According to him, the Government is trying to make use of different legal stratagems to involve Moldovan soldiers in military exercises staged by NATO. “The Government’s interest is to please the Americans and NATO. They wanted to please those who try to establish better relations from the United States so as to have support in the internal struggle in the Republic of Moldova. This government and the ruling party do not have chances to win the upcoming parliamentary elections. The geopolitical confrontation and the support of the West are their only chance,” stated President Dodon.
Under the order signed by the President, the administration of the National Army will inform the supreme commander of the armed forces about the intention or necessity of leaving the Republic of Moldova beforehand, in written form. Also, each month, but not later than the date of 15, members of the Supreme Command of the armed forces will present the plan of activities of the National Army concerning international military cooperation, regardless of its type, to the supreme commander for coordination, in written form. The order will be immediately sent to the personnel of the National Army for familiarization and must be mandatorily implemented, stated Igor Dodon.
