MOLDOVAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS RUSSIA TRYING TO DESTABILIZE SITUATION IN MOLDOVA

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi, has said that Russia is trying to destabilize the situation in Moldova in order to impose its influence. He said this at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin on Tuesday.

"Russia tried and is still making attempts to destabilize the situation in Moldova, hoping for pro-Russian forces to come to power. But our citizens know how to separate seeds from chaff and appreciate the support of our European partners," Popsoi stated.

According to him, Moldova "aspires to become a member of the European Union, because the EU is a guarantee of peace, tranquility and prosperity."

"All citizens of the country know this, regardless of the language of communication - Russian or Romanian, regardless of the place of residence - Chisinau, Comrat, Balti or Tiraspol. All our citizens see a future in the EU," the deputy prime minister stressed.

He noted that the Kremlin uses all its "hybrid warfare tools" to divide Moldova, to create "contradictions between its residents and the diaspora, between Russian speakers and Romanian speakers, between Moldovan citizens and Ukrainian refugees."

"But the citizens have already gained experience and will not allow themselves to be divided. This is what we want to demonstrate at the referendum on European integration at the end of the year. To show unity and solidarity, to say clearly and loudly where we see our future," Popsoi emphasized.