Opposition in Russia and Moldova Criticize Comments Made by Romanian Prime Minister

Russia and Moldova’s leftist opposition have united in denouncing Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu for his controversial remarks about Moldova’s identity. Ciolacu stated in a recent interview that there are no Moldovans, only Romanians who speak Romanian, sparking outrage in the region.

Moldova, a country with a complex history of being part of the Russian empire, the Soviet Union, and “Greater Romania,” has a diverse population that includes ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, and other groups. While Romanian is the official state language, Russian is also widely spoken in the country.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, criticized Ciolacu’s comments as provocative and accused Romania of interfering in Moldova’s internal affairs. The Moldovan opposition Socialist party also condemned the remarks, calling them an insult to the country and its citizens.

Moldova’s pro-European president, Maia Sandu, who is facing re-election this year, has not commented on the controversy. However, her party, Action and Solidarity, emphasized that Moldova is a free country where all citizens are respected and defended.

The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions in Moldova between pro-European and pro-Russian factions, with language and identity playing a central role in the political discourse. As Moldova prepares for a referendum on joining the European Union, the debate over national identity is likely to intensify in the coming months.