"Worsening Ukraine Situation, Europe's Future Depends on War Outcome"… Moldova Fears 'War Spillover'

Foreign Minister Popescu: "How the Ukraine War Ends Is Crucial"
Appeals to Russia: "Creating New Tensions Does Not Help at All"

A panoramic view of Mariupol, a southern Ukrainian port city devastated by concentrated Russian attacks.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] The Foreign Minister of Moldova, a country neighboring Ukraine, stated that the future of Moldova and the entire Europe depends on the development of the Ukraine war.

Nicu Popescu, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Moldova, made this remark in an interview with a British media outlet on the 30th (local time), regarding the possibility of Russia's invasion of Ukraine spreading to Moldova. The key issue is how Ukraine recovers and maintains its national power and how the war ends.

Minister Popescu said, "We are Ukraine's most vulnerable neighboring country and are affected in many ways," adding, "However, the situation is worsening."

Recently, Moldova has maintained an enhanced state of emergency as a series of terrorist attacks with unclear backers have continued in Transnistria.

He expressed serious concern over the statement by a Russian general about securing an exit to Transnistria in the second phase of the special military operation, emphasizing that creating new tensions does not help resolve the situation.

Additionally, he pointed out the rocket attack on the State Security building in Tiraspol, the capital of the pro-Russian rebel region of Transnistria, on the 25th as a "staged provocation."

He claimed, "The majority of Transnistria residents do not want war, but there are forces in the region that benefit from escalating tensions, and they are the main actors behind this provocation."

Like Ukraine, Moldova is governed by a pro-Western regime, while pro-Russian separatist rebels occupy part of eastern Moldova.

When Moldova declared independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the eastern Transnistria region also claimed separate independence, leading to a civil war.

The war ended with Russian intervention, but about 1,000 Russian troops remain stationed in Transnistria under the guise of "peacekeepers." Additionally, about 30% of the approximately 500,000 residents in this region are ethnic Russians.

Minister Popescu stated, "Moldova will maintain neutrality," but added, "Even as a neutral country, it does not mean we cannot cooperate with the West on security, diplomacy, or defense."

He further said, "We will not predict future developments," but added, "We are preparing for all possible contingencies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.