In a statement issued on Friday, the Russian foreign ministry slammed Moldova’s decision to join EU sanctions against Russia, calling it a hostile step aimed at damaging ties with Moscow.
This denunciation came after Moldova’s parliament voted to abide by the punitive measures as part of efforts to change its legislation in order to become a member of the European Union.
The ministry stated, “We regard this as yet another hostile step by the Moldovan leadership, which is fully integrated into the anti-Russian campaign of the ‘collective West’. Its aim is the complete destruction of Russian-Moldovan relations, which, through the fault of official Chisinau, are already in a very deplorable state.”
The Russian foreign ministry also declared that Moscow would retaliate against Moldova’s decision.
The legislation, backed by 62 deputies of Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity, includes provisions related to actions to be taken against individuals and institutions subject to sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The legislation also aims to prevent undue influence by business magnates or “oligarchs”.
Meanwhile, members of the opposition Socialist Party refused to vote and called for the legislation to be referred to the Venice Commission, which is a body of the human rights watchdog Council of Europe that advises on legislation and constitutional matters.
Maia Sandu has been critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has accused Moscow of attempting to overthrow her in a coup. In response, Moscow has denied the allegations and accused Sandu of promoting anti-Russian sentiment in the country situated between Ukraine and Romania.
Furthermore, the European Commission has recommended starting membership talks with Moldova and Ukraine, pending endorsement from an EU summit in December.
(Reporting by Reuters; Additional reporting by Alexander Tanas in Chisinau; Writing by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Marguerita Choy)
