(MENAFN- The Peninsula) AFP
Chisinau: Moldovan president Maia Sandu on Friday stressed that European Union membership was the country's 'only chance' to build a country that could decide its own fate,protected from Russian threats.
She was speaking after anti-government demonstrations erupted at the weekend, the latest in a string of such protests in the small former Soviet republic.
'From the Kremlin come only threats, embargoes and blackmail,' Sandu told lawmakers in Chisinau. 'That's where war, suffering and poverty are coming from.
'The EU is our only chance to build a country in which citizens can decide their fate'.
Pro-European Moldova has repeatedly accused Moscow of plotting to topple its government through saboteurs disguised as anti-government protesters, claims Russia has denied.
'In 2030, Moldova must be a member of the EU, with the same rights,' said Sandu.
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'Moldovans chose the European way, but how long it will take us... only depends on us,' she said, referring to reforms the EU requires if it is to approve membership.
Last June, EU leaders granted formal candidate status to Moldova and neighbouring war-torn Ukraine after both countries submitted bids in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Moldova, a country of 2.6 million people, which sits on Ukraine's western border, has seen a wave of protests recently, organised by the party of pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor.
Shor himself is now a fugitive, thought to have fled to Israel in 2019 in the face of corruption charges. In 2022, Washington levied sanctions against him for corruption and interference in favour of Russia.
'Moldova is just now getting out of captivity,' Sandu said, blaming 'traitors, thieves and oligarchs' for 'suffocating' the former Soviet nation.
Moscow, she said, had tasked Shor's party with 'a clear mission -- to bring war to Moldova', accusing Shor of trying to overthrow her government.
Last week, the United States also alleged that Russia was seeking to destabilise the ex-Soviet republic, through street protests and other means, in order to bring about a pro-Moscow government.