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Demonstrating for EU accession: People in Moldova's capital Chisinau

Photo: IMAGO/Dmitrij Osmatesko / IMAGO/SNA

In the face of pro-Russian aspirations in parts of the Republic of Moldova, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in the capital Chisinau on Sunday in support of President Maia Sandu's pro-European course. "We don't want to be on the edge of Europe anymore," Sandu said at the rally called by her government. She promised to lead the country, located between Romania and Ukraine, into the EU by 2030.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, told the 75,000 demonstrators, according to police, that the EU would welcome Moldova with open arms.

"Moldova does not want to be blackmailed by the Kremlin"

"Moldova does not want to be blackmailed by the Kremlin," said President Sandu. The Russian-speaking minority in the country is supported by Russia, which exerts its influence in the former Soviet republic. For example, around 1500 Russian soldiers are stationed in the breakaway part of Transnistria.

After the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine last year, relations between the governments in Chisinau and Moscow had deteriorated further.

However, pro-Russian demonstrations also take place regularly in Moldova. Such rallies were also called for this Sunday in the countryside. Russia has already stationed soldiers in Moldova's pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria.

A leading figure of the pro-Russian forces in Moldova is businessman Ilan Shor, who has founded his own party. Shor was sentenced to prison in Moldova for billion-dollar fraud in a banking scandal and lives in exile. He announced in a video message shown at the counter-demonstration that he would initiate a referendum on the country's foreign policy.

Many requirements to join

The European Political Community Summit will take place in Moldova on 1 June. It brings together the leaders of all 27 EU countries with 20 neighbouring countries. However, it could take another decade or more for Moldova to become an EU member, as the country has to meet a long list of requirements to join.

jpa/Reuters/afp