The Moldovan government needs to realize that any attempt to resolve the issue of Transnistria by military means will be a reckless act, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Izvestia daily.
"[Moldovan President Maia] Sandu said they were going to hold a referendum on joining the European Union without Transnistria. Apparently, they are eager to unite with Romania and get some additional opportunities by doing so. Maybe they count on resolving the Transnistrian problem by military means. It will be a reckless act on the part of the Moldovan leadership. I think they need to understand this, or this should be clearly explained to them," Lavrov said.
He noted that the government of Moldova turned down numerous invitations by Russia and Transnistria to resume the 5+2 talks. "Apparently, Moldova decided to leave Transnistria behind," he said.
The top Russian diplomat went on to say that incumbent President Maia Sandu has embarked on the policy of "severing ties with the Russian Federation."
Lavrov lamented that the government of Moldova learned no lessons from the latest events in Ukraine. In his words, NATO turned Ukraine into its tool for aggression against Russia. Now? they want to do the same with Moldova, he added.
Moldova will hold presidential election this fall and parliamentary elections - in the summer of 2025.