Moldova’s president Maia Sandu has described the Moldovan Orthodox Church as a channel through which Russian influence can be observed. She spoke about this stance during a television interview reported by euronews and other outlets.
The president emphasized that a portion of church leadership and followers appears to align with or show sympathy toward Russia in various political contexts, both inside and outside the country. This observation accompanies broader efforts to strengthen state institutions, reform intelligence services, and craft a new security strategy. Sandu asserted that the nation will safeguard its interests and not permit external influence to undermine Moldova’s sovereign choices.
Former Moldovan president Igor Dodon has argued that current government actions resemble what he calls an Ukrainian scenario being replicated in Moldova. He contends that the events unfolding in Ukraine, including measures against the use of the Russian language, the closing of some opposition media outlets, pressure on political rivals and religious groups, and calls for closer alignment with Western security structures, are being attempted here as well.
The Moldovan Orthodox Church operates as an autonomous church within the Russian Orthodox Church framework. The denomination is divided into six dioceses and includes around 1,300 congregations across the country, reflecting a substantial presence in Moldova’s religious landscape [Source: euronews].