President of Moldova Maia Sandu has urged the world to help Kyiv in fighting off the Russian aggression because the military plans of its leader Vladimir Putin go beyond Ukraine, as per point.md.
“Everyone must understand that Putin will not stop unless he is halted, and if Putin is not stopped, the cost for everyone will be much higher. Of course, Ukraine is paying the highest price. Although, if the Kremlin is not stopped, then all of us will have to incur much greater costs.
It is in the interest of everyone, not only in the interest of Ukraine and Moldova, for Ukraine to win this war,” Sandu said in an interview with Romanian media.
She added that she relies on and believes in the unity of the democratic world and hopes that Ukraine will continue to receive all the support it needs.
“Moldova is trying to help in any way it can, including providing training for Ukrainian sappers and support to refugees who have decided to stay in Moldova, and offering humanitarian aid. Whenever I have the opportunity, I speak about the need to support Ukraine,” noted Sandu.
She also commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to simplify the process of granting Russian citizenship to Moldovans, Kazakhs, and Belarusians.
“It is clear that the Kremlin needs cannon fodder to continue this war, but Moldovans do not want to be sacrificed in an unjust war. I have this conviction, and I know that many Moldovans decided to leave Russia when the aggression began,” added the president.
Earlier, Sandu arrived in Kyiv to accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska in paying tribute to activists killed during Ukraine’s 2014 Revolution of Dignity.
Ukraine’s Presidential Office said the leaders placed memorial lamps at the Heavenly Hundred Heroes Cross in Kyiv’s Alley of Heavenly Hundred Heroes. They also honored the memories of fallen protesters in front of their portraits.
According to Moldova’s officials, Russia has repeatedly attempted to intervene in the country’s politics.
Moldova’s intelligence chief Alexandru Musteață said that Russia spent nearly $55.5 million to overthrow the democratic government and destabilize the situation in Moldova.
The official added that Russia had tried to use a criminal group led by fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor to influence the outcome of local elections in Moldova.
On 15 December 2023, the Parliament of Moldova approved the draft of Moldova’s National Security Strategy. According to the document, Moldova’s defense spending increased by almost 70%. Additional funds were directed mainly to the purchase of air defense systems.
The European Union has also provided medical and protective equipment, mine detectors, all-terrain vehicles, drones, and generators to the National Army of Moldova.
This year, Moldova also organized military exercises near the Russian-controlled proxy “republic” of Transnistria, 22 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Read more:
- Moldovan President joins Zelenskyy to honor victims of Revolution of Dignity and Freedom
- Moldova spy chief: Russia paid fugitive tycoon $ 55.5 mn to overthrow government
- Moldova excludes pro-Russian party from local elections
- Finland announces a multi-million aid package for Ukraine and Moldova
- Moldova seeks ways to assist with Ukrainian grain transit – Moldovian President