Moldovan presidential candidate Stoianoglo says ready for dialogue with Russia – World

CHISINAU, November 1. /TASS/. Moldovan presidential candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo said he was ready to meet Russian government officials and build pragmatic relations if he won the upcoming second round.

“I view discussions with the Russian leadership as a platform for building efficient, pragmatic relations. Contacts with Russia are not a matter of ideology, they are a matter of national interests and stability for every (Moldavian) citizen,” he told TASS in an interview.

According to him, the republic must maintain balanced relations with other countries to maintain its independence.

“It would be naive to think that broken ties or hostility towards a major neighbor could be beneficial for a country. On the contrary, constructive relations and mutual respect will help us remain sovereign and independent in our choices and not be held hostage by one-sided policies,” Stoianoglo continued. “Paradoxically, true independence requires balanced dialogue, not exacerbation of conflict.”

Relations between Chisinau and Moscow have deteriorated since Maia Sandu was elected president in 2020. After the elections, she announced that she plans to go to Russia to discuss important issues of bilateral relations, including the export of Moldovan products, gas supply and support for Moldovan citizens working in Russia. However, the visit did not take place and with the start of the special operation in Ukraine it sided with the West and sharply criticized Moscow. Since 2022, the broadcasting of a number of Russian media outlets in the republic has been banned and a large group of Russian diplomats have been expelled from Chisinau.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi, bilateral relations are at their lowest point in history.

Following the results of the October 20 vote, President Maia Sandu, who received 42.49% of the vote, and former Attorney General Alexander Stoianoglo, who received 25.95%, advanced to the second round. The second round is scheduled for November 3.