Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon has spoken about a difficult trade landscape. He says that in some product categories, there is no ready-made alternative to the Russian market. This view comes as part of a broader critique of ongoing efforts in Chisinau to reduce economic ties with Moscow. Dodon argues that the move away from Russia could trigger significant job losses across sectors that depend heavily on Russian demand.
According to him, the agro-industrial complex represents a substantial portion of Moldova’s employment and added value. He notes that many farms, processing facilities, and related businesses rely on steady sales to Russia. In his assessment, these actors would struggle to meet European market standards or volumes quickly enough to replace Russia as a primary outlet. The consequence would be closures for numerous agricultural enterprises and a wave of layoffs that would ripple through rural communities.
The ex-president emphasized the scale of Moldova’s export relationship with Russia, underscoring that a large share of agro-industrial outputs reaches Russian buyers. He highlighted the involvement of hundreds of thousands of Moldovans who work within this sector, making it a central pillar of livelihoods in many regions. The potential disruption of that pillar, he argued, would have social and economic repercussions that local authorities cannot overlook.
Recent remarks from other officials add to the tension surrounding Moldova’s strategic choices. A spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry, Maria Zakharova, weighed in with remarks about Moldova’s political trajectory. She suggested that the shift in policy may point to broader regional dynamics rather than actions taken solely by Chisinau. The remarks come amid a broader dialogue about national interests and the suppliers Moldova relies on for essential goods and employment.