Is there a possibility to counteract Moscow’s intentions to prevent further European integration of the Ukrainian-Moldovan tandem following the results of the parliamentary elections in Moldova?

Another press conference of the Institute for Global Politics

Exactly in a month, neighboring Moldova will hold parliamentary elections, the consequences of which are being predicted not only there, but also in Ukraine. This topic was the focus of the press conference of the Institute for Global Politics “How Will the Parliamentary Elections in Moldova Influence  the Joint Process of European Integration of Ukraine and Moldova?” in the auditorium of Ukrinform. Along with journalists and political analysts, the meeting was attended by outstanding guests from Moldova, including Moldovan politician, head of the League of Cities and Communities party and Mayor of Leova Alexandru Bujorian, President of the Association of Veterans and Reservists of the Republic of Moldova Vitalie Marinuţa, who was once the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova and is now an active politician and member of the party; First Vice President of the Institute for Global Politics Ihor Ostapenko. Traditionally, the event was moderated by Oleh Bereziuk, President of the Institute for Global Politics.

Among the many issues discussed by the participants, the main ones were as follows: the conditions under which the parliamentary election campaign in the Republic of Moldova begins; what is the probability of pro-European political forces winning the parliamentary elections; how to prevent pro-Russian forces from winning the parliamentary elections in Moldova; how to prevent the joint process of European integration of Ukraine and Moldova from being disconnected.

It should be noted that A. Bujorian, as a well-known Moldovan politician and leader of a democratic party, was invited to Kyiv by Ukrainian MPs to determine the current state of the European integration process of the two neighboring states – Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. This topic is extremely relevant today, as only these two states, unlike others, remain on the European integration path, while others  had to leave it.

During the discussion, the participants discussed both the events in Moldova immediately after its independence and what is happening there today, when the Moldovan people will soon have to decide on their future. What could it be like? Who is striving for power and why? Who has a chance to achieve what they want? On what grounds and with whose assistance can different Moldovan politicians enter the Parliament? This is just a small list of questions raised by the audience.

But among them there were those that concerned Russia’s desire to interfere in this electoral process in order to, so to speak, cover modern Moldova with the blanket of the “Russian world”.  And this can happen if voters fall for the so-called political slogans of some political parties pro-Moscow orientation. This explains both the circumstances under which the parliamentary election campaign in the Republic of Moldova began and the measures that pro-European political forces are taking to win the election. Although, as the analysts present pointed out, it will be very difficult for them to achieve what they want today.

A separate topic is Moldova’s policy if  the parliamentary majority is pro-Russian. In this case, Ukrainian analysts predict, Ukraine may lose Chisinau’s support, and Russia will have, among other things, the opportunity to start hostilities in our southwestern lands, using Transnistria and Gagauzia, etc. Ultimately, what is now called the joint process of European integration of Ukraine and Moldova may directly depend on this state of affairs.

By the way, those present at the event, including Yevhen Mahda, a well-known Ukrainian political scientist, asked what role the Moldovan Armed Forces would play under such circumstances. Former Moldovan Defense Minister Vitalie Marinuţa answered frankly: so far, unfortunately, this state structure has not been given due attention in Moldova. And this is despite the fact that from the very beginning of the formation of the state of Moldova after the collapse of the USSR, its Armed Forces were almost the first among the newly formed armed forces of other states to defend the independence of their homeland. This refers to the armed confrontation in Transnistria provoked by Russia. “Funds from the Moldovan budget for the maintenance and supply of the army were scarce”, said Vitalie Marinuţa, “but now this issue should be treated differently. In case of successful elections for us”.

Serhii Chernov, President of the Kharkiv Diplomatic Club; Magomed Torijev, representative of the Ingush Independence Committee; Yurii Andriichuk, Director of the Center for Strategic Analysis of Environmental Security; Oleh Konchakivskyi, Director of the “Artan” Group of companies and other participants also took the floor.

The Institute for Global Politics sincerely congratulates the Republic of Moldova and the Moldovan people on the Independence Day! The struggle for independence and close cooperation between our countries show that only together, in a united Europe, we can guarantee reliable security and a decent life. Happy Independence Day, Moldova!

Institute for Global Politics