ISW: Kremlin will try to exploit the ties with Dodon to destabilize democracy in the Republic of Moldova
The Russian Federation could exploit the ties with former pro-Russian president Igor Dodon, to destabilize democracy in the Republic of Moldova. At least that is what the latest analysis of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows, made public in the context of a new visit by socialist leader Igor Dodon, as well as the governor of Gagauzia, party leaders and deputies affiliated with the fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, to Moscow.
ISW refers, in its analysis, to the last interview given by Igor Dodon for TASS, the Russian pro-Kremlin agency, blocked in the Republic of Moldova. The Institute also refers to the participation, in Moscow, of some politicians from Chisinau at the second congress of the so-called "Victoria" bloc, led by the fugitive Ilan Şor.
"Dodon appears to have close ties to the Kremlin dating back to his time as president, and the Kremlin is very likely to exploit his ties to Dodon in its overall efforts to influence elections in Moldova. (…) The parallels between the statements that both the "Victoria" block congress and Dodon promoted suggest a coordinated anti-Sandu effort. Dodon's public statements about his "complicated" relationship with Shor and his lack of cooperation with the "Victoria" bloc so far suggest that the Kremlin, Dodon and Shor have not yet agreed on a presidential candidate or strategy elections", mentions ISW in its latest analysis.
It should be noted that Igor Dodon gave an interview to TASS on June 9 in which he states that the PSRM will not join the pro-Russian "Victoria" bloc, which opposes the Republic of Moldova's accession to the European Union. Moreover, the socialist did not rule out an electoral pact to remove president Maia Sandu, who is running for a new term as president, from the leadership.
Also on June 9, in Moscow, party leaders and deputies affiliated with the fugitive oligarch Ilan Şor participated in a new congress of the "Victoria" block. The meeting was attended, including, by the Bascana of Gagauzia, Evghenia Guțul, supported by Șor. In their speeches, Tauber, Guțul and Şor criticized the government in Chisinau and pleaded for closer relations with Moscow.
