CHISINAU, June 25. /TASS/. Moldova cannot join the European Union until it resolves the Transnistrian issue, leader of Moldova’s largest opposition Party of Socialists and the country’s former President Igor Dodon said.

"Until we resolve the Transnistrian issue and reintegrate the country, there can be no talk about joining the European Union. The reintegration of the country must become a national priority, and to achieve this, we must put an end to economic and energy blackmail and begin a dialogue with Tiraspol," Dodon said.

He emphasized that EU accession talks must be conducted with the country’s interests in mind, firmly defending its economic interests above all else while preserving the status of permanent neutrality enshrined in the country’s constitution. In his view, Moldova should not join the European Union alongside Ukraine.

"It was a big mistake to be lumped together with Ukraine, which has enough problems of its own right now. It will become clear in the near future to what extent separation from Ukraine is possible within the framework of this process," he noted.

According to an opinion poll conducted by the Moldovan IMAS pollster in June, the majority of Moldovans do not believe that Moldova may be admitted to the European Union by 2028, as President Maia Sandu and her ruling Party of Action and Solidarity promised during last year’s parliamentary elections.