logo

Mihai Popșoi: Relations with Russia are at lowest level in Moldova’s history


https://www.ipn.md/index.php/en/mihai-popsoi-relations-with-russia-are-at-lowest-level-in-7965_1103693.html

Relations with Russia are at the lowest level in Moldova’s history and, as long as barbarism in Ukraine continues, there are no preconditions for improving these relations, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi. According to him, Russia poses the greatest danger to national security and this fact is also stipulated in Moldova’s security strategy, IPN reports

Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi noted that the bad relations between Chisinau and Moscow are primarily due to the atrocities committed by the Russian army in Ukraine, but also to the way in which the Kremlin defies the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

“The relations with Russia are at the lowest level in the modern history of the Republic of Moldova. This reflects the harsh reality in our region, especially that experienced by our Ukrainian neighbors and friends. As long as Ukrainians daily go through an unspeakable ordeal, we see no premises for improving our relationship with Russia. As long as this barbarism continues, there will be no prerequisites. We remain steadfast in supporting Ukraine’ sovereignty and integrity. We also have Russia’s actions against the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Moldova by supporting separatism in the Transnistrian region, violating our sovereignty by refusing to withdraw its troops and ammunition and, most recently, organizing elections in the Transnistrian region, despite the clear message coming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to hold elections there. There are also the Kremlin’s agents in the Republic of Moldova, those with whose hands they are trying to weaken the state, destabilize the country, undermine the European integration process. All these are clear proofs of what is written in the security strategy. There it is written in black and white that the Russian Federation is the main threat to the national security of the Republic of Moldova,” Mihai Popșoi stated in the talk show “Diplomatic Dimension” on the public television channel.

According to the official, Moldova will continue to denounce unnecessary agreements with the Commonwealth of Independent States, keeping only agreements with CIS states which provide benefits to the citizens.

“There are over 200 agreements with the CIS. We have identified more than 100 agreements liable to denunciation for various reasons. The main reason is that these agreements were never implemented. They didn’t deliver tangible benefits to our citizens. Some of them were already denounced by a large part of CIS member states. Those that don’t bring any benefit and have been a dead letter all these years will be denounced. The process has started. For a fairly small number, probably a few dozen agreements, it was already completed. The agreements that continue to provide benefits to the citizens for now will remain in force,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In December 2023, Parliament adopted Moldova’s national security strategy. The document stipulates that Russia represents the main threat to national security based on three indicators: the war waged against Ukraine, the presence of Russian troops on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and hybrid attacks.