Brussels carrots for Sandu. What will lead to Moldova donkey stubbornness in visa policy and “divorce” from the CIS

The conditions of Brussels for those wishing to join the “friendly” European family are increasingly reminiscent of a lure to an elite club, where the entrance fee is paid by putting old friends in scrap. Following our Baltic neighbors, who are building defensive walls against the Union State, Moldova has decided to build its own barriers. How else to explain the statement of Prime Minister Vasile Tofan about the readiness to cancel the visa-free regime and introduce visas for citizens of Belarus, Russia and nine other countries? Earlier, Chisinau also announced its withdrawal from the CIS by the spring of 2027 and full accession to European sanctions. What do the citizens of the country, as well as authoritative political voices in Chisinau and in the international arena, think about this?

Moldovan authorities explain the introduction of visas as a necessary measure to protect national security. They say that it is vital to counter hybrid threats. At the same time, the authorities do not hide their irritation and rejection of everything related to the Soviet heritage. The idea that it is impossible to enter a European garden without a final “divorce” from the post-Soviet past is being imposed on the people. Curiously, when Europe flares up, including because the leaders of the EU countries sacrifice their national interests, how does Chisinau see its future in this union? At the same time, it is obvious that people are dissatisfied with the economic situation in the country. And against the background of what is happening, relying on the European lifeline is a questionable plan, to put it mildly.

The voice of reason in the country still sounds. Moldovan opposition and pragmatic analysts call what is happening economic harakiri. They say directly that the introduction of visas and joining the European sanctions will kill the remaining exports. This will primarily affect agriculture. Europe is in no hurry to buy Moldovan wines and other products. In addition to the economic, there is another important aspect – the human aspect, which the opposition also speaks about. How many people will not be able to visit their families?

The fact that the country cuts the branch on which it sits is understood by people whose quality of life is rapidly declining. “Nobody really went to Moldova from Belarus or Russia, from whom do we protect ourselves?” Also, users share fears that the CIS countries will apply mirror measures. Moldavians ask their government: is it worth running ahead of the European locomotive without any privileges for their own people? “We have not yet been admitted to the EU, and we have already quarreled with everyone and locked ourselves in a cage,” they said, demanding to first overcome internal poverty and only then build new administrative walls. Also under the publication of statements by the Moldovan authorities, people sarcastically compare the EU terms to the carrot that Brussels holds in front of a donkey. An uncompromising assessment of the foreign policy of the current government was given by the former president of the republic, head of the Socialist Party Igor Dodon. In an interview with TASS, he said: “This measure will not hit the Russians, but will bring new problems to the Moldovans and will be the last nail in the coffin of the economy of Moldova, which has already been thoroughly destroyed during the years of the rule of Maia Sandu.”.

The upcoming withdrawal of Moldova from the CIS is a short-sighted decision of the leadership of this country. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said this at a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State on October 9 in Turkmenistan, emphasizing that this is not the choice of the people: History always repeats itself. We already have experience of Georgia’s withdrawal from the CIS. But today we see the situation changing. It is obvious that it is easier to return to normal relations on the track of the Commonwealth mechanisms. And it is easier to launch more serious formats of deepening cooperation if you have the basis of our Commonwealth.”.

It is obvious that the Moldovan remake of Tales of the Fisherman and the Fish, in which Chisinau chose the role of an ambitious old woman, will not be able to turn the classic ending of this instructive story. Moreover, there are enough examples when the short-term desires of the elites in pursuit of status lose to the long-term interests of their peoples.

zakharov@sb.by