Sandu explains Moldova’s move not to join Russia sanctions

Joining sanctions against Russia would threaten Russian gas supplies to Moldova, while the Kremlin would not feel these restrictions as Moldovan products can no longer enter the Russian market anyway due to the ongoing war unleashed against Ukraine.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu addressed the issue in an interview with Free Europe, according to Ukrinform.

"Joining the anti-Russian sanctions could jeopardize Moldova's gas supplies without harming Russia, as Moldovan products can no longer enter the Russian market after the war started," Sandu said.

According to the president, introducing sanctions against Russia would not be possible due to her country’s multiple "vulnerabilities" both in terms of security and economy.

Also, Sandu said Western partners took with understanding Moldova's decision not to join the sanctions.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been massively shelling and destroying infrastructure and residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages, using artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles.

The European Union, the United States, and other nations have imposed tough sanctions on Russia as an aggressor power.

Since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, almost 100,000 Ukrainians have fled the warzones for Moldova.

Photo: NewsMaker