The party of Ilan Shor, the Party of Socialists and the Communists of former President Volodymyr Voronin took part in the Victory March in Chisinau on Tuesday, as well as in the “Immortal Regiment” type march, where some participants, including former President Ihor Dodon, wore St. George’s ribbons, although it was prohibited in the Republic of Moldova as a symbol of Russian aggression in Ukraine, News.ro reports.

Several people, including political leaders, defied police warnings on Tuesday by wearing the two-color St. George’s ribbon on their chests, considered a symbol of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The leader of the Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) Ihor Dodon also published a photo in which he wears a St. George’s ribbon and appears next to his son in Soviet military uniform – as was the case last year.

“We must respect peace” even if there is a war in Ukraine, said Ihor Dodon, who took part in the “Victory Day” march together with the candidate from the Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) Hryhoriy Uzun. the situation of the Basques of Gagauzia. He will run on Sunday, in the second round of regional elections in Gagauzia, against a candidate supported by the ŞOR party.

Next to Ihor Dodon were his son, dressed in a Soviet uniform, MP Adela Railyanu and former Minister of Defense General Viktor Haychuk, according to NewsMaker, which made a photo report.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova, including former President Volodymyr Voronin, who laid flowers at the “Eternitate” complex.

The “SHOR” party organized the “Immortal Regiment” action, taking to the streets with portraits of relatives of World War II participants. The action started at the intersection between Izmail Street and Stefan cel Mare Boulevard. Then everyone went to the “Eternity” Memorial Complex to lay flowers and honor the memory of the heroes who liberated Europe from fascists and Nazis. The party previously accused the police of confiscating thousands of balloons brought in for the “Immortal Regiment” campaign, but the police denied the allegations, saying that the vehicles carrying them actually had incorrect documents.

During the march, people also carried a banner with a photo of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Chisinau, Oleg Vasnetsov, in turn, laid flowers at the “Eternity” memorial complex. Vasnetsov, with a ribbon in the colors of the Russian flag on his chest, said that he was celebrating this holiday with “tears in his eyes.”

What is the origin of St. George ribbon

The two-color ribbon dates back to the times of the Russian Empire, being an additional element to three decorations – the Order of St. George, the St. George Cross and the St. George Medal, which awarded Russian soldiers for heroism and heroism. their contribution to the cause of the Motherland. During the Soviet period, these three awards were banned by the communist authorities because they would represent tsarism, so from 1917 to 1992, the ribbon was not used on these awards, according to Wikipedia.

In 2005, on the initiative of some organizations in the Russian Federation, the St. George’s ribbon was established as a symbol of the Victory Day over Nazi Germany, since then the annual campaign to distribute St. George’s ribbons among the population began.

In 2014, the St. George ribbon became a symbol of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

The wearing of the black and orange ribbon, unless it is part of a decoration or medal, has been banned in the Republic of Moldova. And the placement of symbols “Z”, “V” and others, which were recognized as symbols of the military aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, is authorized, reports Ziarului de Gardă, which quotes the head of the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP). ) Viorel Cherneutseanu. At the press conference, he clarified the legislative norms regarding holding meetings and symbols at events until May 9.

On Victory Day, pro-European parties signed a declaration on the irreversibility of the European course of the Republic of Moldova

Government officials also laid flowers at the memorial in Chisinau, but made sure that this was a gesture they were making in view of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

In addition, unlike the nostalgic marches of the socialists and the ŞOR party, five pro-European parties from the Republic of Moldova signed a joint Declaration on May 9, 2023, when Europe Day is also celebrated. We are talking about KUB (Coalition for Unity and Welfare), the Liberal Party, the Party “Democracy at Home”, the Party “Power of People” and the Green and Environmental Party.

The declaration supports the irreversibility of the European path of the Republic of Moldova, including several goals and principles accepted by the parties that signed it.

The signatories formulated as urgent priorities the separation of the Republic of Moldova from the monopolies of the Russian Federation in the economy, energy, mass media, the immediate withdrawal of the Republic of Moldova from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the adoption of the Copenhagen criteria in the democratic functioning of the government, but also the resolution of the conflict on the left bank of the Dniester through a bold policy of actions regarding the demilitarization, decriminalization and democratization of this region and its integration into the constitutional space of the country.

“We believe that Ukraine’s victory over Russian aggression is a just and legitimate cause, and the recognition of the prospect of joining the EU corresponds to our national ideal of peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” the signatories note.

On Monday, some of the leaders of these formations went to the invitation of the country’s president, Maja Sandu, and took part in a meeting organized by the presidency. As reported in the presidential administration, one of the topics of the meeting was the need to unite the efforts of pro-European political forces in order for the Republic of Moldova to become a full member of the EU. During the discussion, it was also discussed the holding of the National Assembly “European Moldova”, scheduled for May 21, NewsMaker notes.