MOSCOW, March 27. /TASS/. Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii’s remark that there are Moldovan mercenaries in Ukraine’s so-called International Legion of Territorial Defense exposes Chisinau’s hypocrisy, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

"On the one hand, the Moldovan leadership highlights its respect for the principle of neutrality enshrined in the country’s constitution because the majority of citizens stand for preserving it, but on the other hand, it is seeking to speed up the country’s militarization, making it part of Europe’s aggressive anti-Russian provinces," the diplomat noted.

She pointed out in this regard that Moldova’s criminal code banned mercenary service but none of the legion members returning to Ukraine had been prosecuted. "It turns out that although mercenary service is officially banned, the Russia-hating authorities in Chisinau are ready to turn a blind eye to the mercenaries fighting for the Nazi Kiev regime," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed.

Meanwhile, Zakharova stressed that Chisinau’s anti-Russian policy ran counter to Moldova’s interests. "The course that [Moldovan President Maia] Sandu pursues is aimed at destroying Moldova," Zakharova added.

Nosatii told TV-8 earlier that there were Moldovan nationals among members of Ukraine’s International Legion of Territorial Defense. However, he said he was unaware of their number. Meanwhile, Sandu threatened to deprive those involved in the conflict on Russia’s side of Moldovan citizenship.