Moldovan president's adviser refers to reverse effect of Kremlin's propaganda, sweater worn by Russian foreign affairs minister in Alaska

The security adviser to the president of Moldova, Stanislav Secrieru, has criticized the dual discourse promoted by Kremlin officials, which he described as 'full of contradictions and adapted according to the audience and context.’’ Secrieru referred to the symbolic gesture of Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, who wore a sweater with the inscription 'USSR' (in Russian) during the meeting in Alaska with American officials.

‘’Lavrov's sweater reminded me of one of the contradictions of Russian propaganda,’’ said the presidential adviser.

According to him, the Kremlin uses Soviet symbolism in two opposing directions: on the one hand, as a scare tactic, trying to convince Moldovans that joining the EU would be equivalent to entering a 'new USSR', where independence and self-decision are lost. On the other hand, as a benchmark and aspiration, lamenting the collapse of the Soviet Union and promoting nostalgia for the 'greatness' of the Soviet past, without mentioning the huge price paid by citizens: lack of freedoms, repression, poverty and polluted environment.

‘’The reality, however, shows exactly the opposite: small states that have joined the European Union have consolidated their sovereignty and influence and the EU, every time it is put to trial, emerges stronger and more united,’’ Secrieru emphasized.

The presidential adviser explained that ‘’the essence of the Russian propaganda is always the same - to mentally and politically push Moldova into a pale imitation of the USSR, led by a Russian elite trapped in the past.’’

'Today, the choice is ours: either we slip into the illusion of a past that cancels us as a state and as a free society, or we move forward towards our European future – part of the great family of prosperous and peaceful democracies,’’ concluded Stanislav Secrieru.

At the end of last week, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for discussions on European security and the situation in Ukraine. The meeting was described as 'tense but constructive,' with the parties addressing such topics as arms control, regional influence and geopolitical conflicts in Eastern Europe.