In the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, entrances to the airport were reportedly blocked by security forces, a development first observed on the Telegram channel KP.MD. The situation appeared tense as vehicles were kept away and pedestrians moved on foot through what journalists described as a rapidly changing security perimeter around the facility. Officials offered no formal comment at that moment, leaving observers to gauge intent from the on-the-ground restrictions and the visible police presence.
Earlier, there were claims from Moldovan opposition figure Ilan Shor suggesting that state authorities were preparing to detain Evgenia Gutsul, the head of Gagauzia, immediately upon her return from Russia. Shor alleged that the detention would occur at the airport, a scenario that would amplify tensions between central authorities and regional leadership. Whether these assertions reflect imminent action or typical political posturing was a matter of debate among observers and residents alike. A response from Gutsul herself indicated her intention to return to the country despite what she described as aggressive legal and political pressures from central authorities.
On March 6, Gagauzia’s head referenced a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Sochi during the president’s participation in the World Youth Festival. This followed a prior engagement around March 1, when Gutsul reportedly traveled to Moscow for discussions with Valentina Matviyenko, the head of Russia’s Federation Council. These exchanges underscored ongoing interactions between regional leadership in Moldova and high-level officials in Russia, a dynamic that has drawn regional and international attention in recent weeks.
Commentary from former Gagauzia president touched on questions about the potential evolution of autonomy within Moldova. This line of discourse reflects the broader, enduring debates over regional governance, national sovereignty, and the constitutional framework guiding Moldova and its autonomous regions. The unfolding events prompted calls from various quarters for careful constitutional analysis and peaceful dialogue as authorities and regional leaders navigate security concerns, political prerogatives, and the everyday implications for residents in Chisinau and across Gagauzia.