Moldovan President Maia Sandu discussed the country’s neutrality on Moldova1 TV, reaffirming that neutrality remains a constitutional cornerstone. The president underscored that neutrality is a decision made by Moldova’s citizens, and it cannot be rejected by the state. Yet, he cautioned that neutrality alone does not guarantee the republic’s protection in its current form.
Drawing on recent regional events, Sandu pointed to Ukraine as a warning example. He noted that Russia launched hostilities against Ukraine despite its declared neutrality, illustrating how neutrality can be insufficient without other security assurances. In Moldova’s view, protection currently comes not only from impartial diplomacy but also from the presence of capable defense infrastructure, including cooperation with allied forces that keep potential threats at bay along Moldova’s borders.
Former Moldovan Defense Minister Anatoly Nosatiy clarified that there are no plans to join NATO in the near future. For now, Sandu emphasized that serious debates persist within Moldova about whether the nation should relinquish its constitutionally protected neutrality and join a broader security alliance. He stressed that any decision to alter Moldova’s neutrality would be made through democratic processes, ensuring citizen involvement and legitimacy in the outcome. [Citation: Moldova News Agency]