Moldova's priority: Transnistrian conflict resolution from within
Mihai Popșoi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, stated in a BBC interview on February 14, 2025, that resolving the Transnistrian conflict remains a top priority for the Moldovan authorities.
He emphasized that the solution must come from within the country, highlighting that while Moldova appreciates the support from Ukraine and other international partners, the resolution of the conflict cannot be expected from others.
“We are grateful to our friends in Kyiv for their openness and support, but we cannot hope that someone will solve our problems for us. It is the responsibility of the citizens, and above all, of the political system of the Republic of Moldova,” Popșoi declared.
In regards to the potential inclusion of the Transnistrian issue in negotiations about the situation in Ukraine, which could involve the US, Russia, and European countries, Popșoi noted that while this might theoretically be possible, Chișinău does not want to complicate an already delicate situation. Previously, in an interview for Moldova 1, Popșoi had suggested that the Transnistrian conflict should be included in the peace talks concerning the war in Ukraine.
The official reiterated Moldova’s call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Transnistrian region, recalling that Russia’s military presence has no legal basis and that Russia had committed to this obligation in 1999.
Mihai Popșoi also stated that Moldova needs to invest more in its own security. For the past 30 years, Moldova has treated national security “on a residual basis,” but the authorities in Chișinău are aiming to change this approach. “If you want to be perceived as a sovereign state and provide security for your citizens, it is wrong not to invest in defense. The message conveyed by our American partners about the need for Europe to be more concerned with its own security is very correct,” Popșoi said.
The Minister also clarified that Moldova plans to increase its defense spending to 1% of GDP by 2030. He further mentioned the new directions of Moldova's National Security Strategy, recently adopted, and the ongoing cooperation programs with NATO, including the “Partnership for Peace,” which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
