Speaker about possible denunciation of Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Russia: We should act with caution

The Republic of Moldova must have a basic treaty with the Russian Federation, regardless of the state of bilateral relations. Speaker Igor Grosu made the statement today. He also noted that any possible decision to denounce the document must be examined with caution.

According to the official, any decision in this regard will be taken only after consultations with the responsible institutions – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency and the Government. Grosu stressed that the existence of such a document is necessary, including in the context of Moldovan citizens who are on the territory of the Russian Federation.

“I think it is necessary to have a discussion with colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency, with those from the Government, and if we take a decision we will communicate it. But, attention, we should not act radically: any country must have such an agreement with the country across the border. This is the basic treaty, we must have it, regardless of the state of relations – good or bad. Obviously, now they are very bad, and they are bad because of them. We must have a treaty. If we intervene on it, we must discuss it, but we cannot leave a vacuum in terms of official relations, which, beyond politicians, extend into humanitarian matters – our citizens who are there, their citizens who are on our territory – and such a framework is needed,” Igor Grosu said.

The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation was signed on November 19, 2001, by then presidents Vladimir Voronin and Vladimir Putin. The document, extended in 2011 for a period of 10 years, also stipulates Russia’s status as mediator and guarantor in resolving the Transnistrian conflict.

Relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation entered a cooling phase after the Kremlin authorities decided to launch a military attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, triggering a large-scale war. The conflict has caused massive human losses and a major humanitarian crisis, with millions of Ukrainians forced to flee.

From the first day of the war, the authorities in Chișinău condemned Russia’s actions and declared their support for Ukraine and its people.

The airspace of the Republic of Moldova has been repeatedly overflown by Russian drones, some of them loaded with explosives. Also, following Russian bombardments on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the 400 kV Isaccea–Vulcănești overhead power line was affected, causing disruptions in the energy system. Recently, in March, following attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, pollution was also reported on the Dniester, a river of vital importance for the Republic of Moldova.

At the same time, Russia’s ambassador Oleg Ozerov, appointed to Chișinău in October 2024, has not yet been officially accredited by the Republic of Moldova.