MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Moscow calls on Chisinau to refrain from steps harming bilateral relations, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday following Moldova’s ban on demonstrating the St. George Ribbon and broadcasting Russian television channels.

"On April 7, Moldova’s parliament adopted amendments to the code of audio and visual media services. They envisage as ban on broadcasting programs and films made in countries that have not ratified the European Convention on Transfrontier Television, including Russia. On April 14, Moldovan lawmakers adopted amendments to the code of offenses imposing fines or correctional labor for the use of symbols "of military aggression," such as "color flags and ribbons, symbols, badges etc. The "black and orange two-color" ribbon, i.e. the St. George Ribbon, has been listed among them. The republic’s president is expected to sign these amendments soon," she said.

"We hope that the common sense will win the upper hand in the republic and the Moldovan side will refrain from steps harming relations with Russia," she stressed.

According to Zakharova, Moldova’s latest steps run counter to the statements of its leaders on their commitment to the country’s neutral status and partnership with Russia.

"Moldova’s leaders have repeatedly stressed their commitment to the republic’s neutral status, to the observance of rights and interests of its nationals, to pragmatic and mutually beneficial partnership with Russia. The latest legislative initiatives adopted by Moldova’s parliament run counter to these statements. Chisinau’s recent steps run counter to these statements too. These steps include restrictive measures against Russian mass media operating in Moldova, unconditional support for the United States’ and its allies’ efforts to squeeze Russia out of international organizations and bodies, the Moldovan authorities’ connivance at anti-Russian rallies, which has been held in front of the Russian embassy in Chisinau for a month," she said, adding that these steps stirred a wide response both in Moldovan and in Russian society.

"Moldova and Russia well remember President Maia Sandu’s campaign promises to ensure the right to celebrate May 9. It is a major date in our shared history, which keeps the memory of the heroism of the peoples of the former Soviet Union, including Moldovans, who fought against Nazism. Some 650,000 Moldovans died during the Great Patriotic War (the Eastern Front during WWII where Russia fought against Nazi Germany). Some 400,000 Moldovans were fighting in the Red Army. As many as 250,000 Moldovan soldiers, officers and volunteers were awarded Soviet orders and medals. It is our common duty to cherish the memory about them," Zakharova stressed.