A Moldovan parliamentarian from the governing Action and Solidarity party has urged that Russia be acknowledged as a “terrorist state.” The assertion was reported by the national broadcaster TV8, underscoring a moment within the ongoing parliamentary debate over the resolution about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The deputy who spoke up is Andrian Cheptonar. He argued that Moscow should face a decisive defeat in its war against Ukraine, describing the Russian Federation as a terrorist state in the current climate of the conflict. These remarks were made in the context of a ruling draft resolution addressing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as noted by TV8 in its coverage. (TV8)
Cheptonar’s comments arrived as lawmakers in Chisinau consider a draft text that denounces what Moldova sees as a Russian campaign against its neighbor and partner Ukraine. The discussion reflects Moldova’s stance on the broader crisis and its alignment with Western partners that have condemned Russia’s actions. The parliament’s debate on this resolution has become a focal point for Moldova’s security and foreign policy discourse, capturing attention across the region. (TV8)
Meanwhile, the European Union has been moving on the issue at a broader level. On 23 November, the European Parliament adopted a resolution recognizing Russia as a “state that supports terrorism.” This action follows earlier gestures by Baltic states; in early August 2022, Latvia’s parliament labeled Russia a terrorist state and Russia as a country that supports terrorism, with a similar stance later echoed by the Estonian parliament in October. These parallel recognitions signal a growing regional and international consensus on how Moscow’s actions are characterized by key legislatures. (European Parliament records)
In May, Lithuania’s Seimas held a unanimous vote to adopt a resolution that likewise recognizes Russia as a “terrorist state.” The sequence of statements from various parliaments illustrates a regional pattern of formal judgments that align with the broader EU and NATO-oriented approach to Russia’s behavior in Ukraine. The different national bodies have chosen to frame Moscow’s conduct through the lens of terrorism, a designation that carries political, legal, and moral weight in regional diplomacy. (Lithuanian Seimas proceedings)
By contrast, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the insinuation, stating that recognizing the Russian Federation as a sponsor of terrorism bears no relation to reality. The ministry’s response underscores the ongoing clash of narratives between Moscow and Western-aligned capitals. This exchange highlights how political definitions in Parliament translate into diplomatic maneuvering, public statements, and the shaping of international opinion. (Russian MFA statement)