Sandu demands Russian troop withdrawal on war anniversary

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

CHISINAU, MOLDOVA — Moldovan President Maia Sandu has reiterated her firm demand for the immediate withdrawal of Russian military forces from the breakaway region of Transnistria in the eastern part of the republic.

Speaking during a commemoration event marking the 34th anniversary of the outbreak of the Dniester (Transnistria) war, Sandu emphasized that true stability cannot be established while foreign troops remain stationed on Moldovan soil. She firmly positioned her country on the side of peace while drawing sharp parallels between the historical conflict in Moldova and the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine.

"True peace cannot be built with foreign troops"

Stressing her nation's desire for regional stability, Sandu stated that Moldova wants peace, not war. The president underscored that peace cannot be founded on falsehoods. "True peace cannot be built on lies and it cannot be built with foreign troops on our territory. We firmly demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova," she declared.

Shifting tactics and cognitive warfare

The 1992 conflict erupted primarily because Moldovans wanted to determine their own future, while Russia sought to continue dictating their destiny, Sandu explained. She warned the public that Moscow's aggressive posture against the republic has not vanished over the years.

"Today, more than three decades later, our peace and freedom are threatened. The aggression against us has not disappeared; only the methods have changed," the president noted. Sandu pointed out a stark contrast in warfare methods, observing that while the 1992 assault involved tanks, today's offensive relies heavily on propaganda, disinformation, and manipulation. She described the current geopolitical climate as a genuine "cognitive war" that deliberately targets national memory and identity.

Echoes of 1992 in the Ukraine conflict

Drawing direct comparisons to the current geopolitical landscape, Sandu underscored that Russia was the indisputable aggressor in Moldova in 1992, just as it is the aggressor in Ukraine today. "To say that both sides are guilty is to falsify the truth. Moldova did not covet foreign territories and did not start wars; it only defended its ancestral land," she stated. Furthermore, Sandu acknowledged the broader regional implications, noting that Ukrainians currently fighting on the battlefield are also defending Moldova's peace and freedom.

Tuesday marked exactly 34 years since the start of the Dniester war. During the armed conflict, over 30,000 Moldovans fought against Russian-backed Transnistrian separatists, a struggle that resulted in the tragic loss of 321 lives.

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