On Saturday, the Republic of Moldova celebrated the Day of Remembrance and Gratitude, during which events were organized to commemorate the fallen heroes in the armed conflict on the Dniester, which broke out 32 years ago. With chrysanthemums in their hands and combat awards on their chests, dozens of Moldovan veterans remember the civil war in Transnistria. The pro-European president Maia Sandu, who was present at the ceremony, criticized the forces that after three decades “continue to sow distrust and discord in our country”, reports Agerpres and AFP.

President Maia Sandu laid flowers at the monument “Grieving Mother” in the memorial complex “Eternitate” and at the monument of Stephen the Great and Saint. She emphasized the necessity of honoring veterans and honoring the memory of those who died in the battles for the protection of the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova.

• “Keeping the memory of the battles on the Dniester in 1992, we solemnly pledge to continue to protect peace and freedom. And even if there are still forces trying to sow mistrust and discord between us, I say this clearly and directly: they will not succeed – even now, even in the future,” said Maia Sandu, quoted in a press release published by the President of Chisinau .

The President also noted that the authorities are obliged to take care of those who fought on the Dniester, and to make every effort for the peaceful unification of the country, promising to never allow the repetition of this tragedy.

• “The decision to open negotiations on accession to the European Union is a historic chance for our country to unite for all of us around a state project that will ensure a peaceful future and prosperity for people on both banks of the Dniester – regardless of language or community, to which they belong,” Maya Sandu also said, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova reports.

The memorial march gathered hundreds of participants, including students of the Stefan cel Mare Academy, servicemen of the Fulger Special Police Brigade, veterans who marched to the Eternitate Memorial Complex with photos of those who died on the battlefield and affirming their commitment. to never forget their sacrifice and to continue their mission of ensuring the peace, integrity and independence of the Republic of Moldova.

With flowers in their hands and military awards on their chests, dozens of Moldovan veterans remember the war for the secession of Transnistria.

The request of the authorities of the separatist region of Transnistria for “protective measures” from the Kremlin on Wednesday raised fears about the destabilization of the Republic of Moldova.

On March 2, 1992, the separatists and the authorities in Chisinau went to war, mobilizing approximately 30,000 soldiers. Transnistria, only 200 kilometers long and only 20 kilometers wide, unilaterally declared its independence in 1990, fearing the “Romanization” of Moldova, which at that time was trying to leave the Soviet orbit, reminds AFP.

The armed conflict ended in July 1992 with several hundred deaths and the intervention of the Russian army. It has been frozen ever since. Predominantly Russian-speaking, this region of approximately 465,000 inhabitants is not recognized as a state either by the international community or by Russia, which nevertheless considers it a bridgehead near the borders of the European Union and maintains approximately 1,500 troops there.

Russia does not want to invade Moldova, but will increase propaganda to prevent it from getting closer to the EU

Although, according to experts, Russia has no intention of invading the Republic of Moldova – at least now – “it would be naive to keep silent on this topic”, warns Romanian historian Armand Gosu, an expert on the post-Soviet space. .

“Moscow has taken a close look at the Republic of Moldova” and will certainly increase its “propaganda” before the presidential elections in the fall of 2024 and the parliamentary elections next year.

The aim is to prevent Moldova from getting closer to the EU, given that the 27 agreed in December to start formal accession talks.

“Let’s destabilize it a bit, that’s the idea,” sums up the university professor quoted by AFP.