Moldova wants weapons and equipment from the West

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In view of the Russian offensive against Ukraine, the ex-Soviet Republic of Moldova hopes for support from the West to defend the country. When asked by a journalist whether Moldova wanted weapons and military equipment from the West, Moldovan President Maia Sandu (50) said Monday in Bucharest in the presence of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64) and her Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis (63): “Yes we need to consolidate (our) defense capabilities and yes, we need help for that and yes, we are discussing it with partners.”

Moldova borders Ukraine and Romania. Sandu said her country has repeatedly been the victim of “hybrid attacks” and “attempts at destabilization” by Russia. Scholz and Iohannis emphasized several times that the West would support Moldova, among other things, economically.

Germany promises Moldova help

Although Moldova does not aspire to membership in NATO, it does wish to become a member of the European Union. In June 2022, the country, like Ukraine, was granted candidate status. Germany and other EU countries support Moldova with large sums of money. At three donor conferences last year, much more than a billion euros was raised – a lot of money in a country with an annual economic output of about $ 14 billion.

The federal government also promised military aid to Moldova last year. In January, the first of 19 Piranha armored cars was delivered to the Moldovan Armed Forces.

Moldova is politically divided between pro-European and pro-Russian forces. Since the 1990s, Russian soldiers have been stationed in the breakaway region of Transnistria, a narrow strip of land on the border with Ukraine. There would also be a huge Soviet-era ammunition depot. (SDA)

Source: Blick