The former Soviet republic — which borders Ukraine and Romania — applied to join the European Union this year and strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Moldova needs to strengthen its defense capability because Russia does not respect Chisinau’s neutrality, the country’s pro-Western president Maya Sandu said today on Moldovan television.
The former Soviet republic — which borders Ukraine and Romania — applied to join the European Union this year and strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Moldova is heavily dependent on Russian energy, while a Russian military force has been deployed in the breakaway region of Transnistria.
“Moldova is a neutral country… but Russia does not respect our neutrality by keeping troops on the territory of Moldova. Therefore, we need to strengthen our defense capability,” Sandu said.
Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe, allocated around 202 million euros (or 0.45% of its GDP) to defense spending this year.
Russia has deployed military force in Transnistria since the early 1990s when, following armed conflicts, pro-Russian separatists wrested part of the region from Chisinau’s control.
Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Moldova that the threat to the security of Russian forces in Transnistria posed the risk of a military confrontation.
President Sandu reiterated today that Moldova wants a political solution to the crisis.
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