Maia Sandu: “People want EU citizenship, not Russian citizenship”
President Maia Sandu claims that the decree signed by Vladimir Putin, which simplifies the process for residents of the Transnistrian region to obtain Russian citizenship, is an attempt by Russia to intimidate the Republic of Moldova. In an interview with Deutsche Welle and RFI in Strasbourg, she emphasized that the people living on the left bank of the Nistru "want to be EU citizens, not Russian citizens." Sandu also stated that the authorities in Chișinău will not permit Moscow to influence Moldova’s internal and foreign policies through threats.
Maia Sandu stated, "We know that Russia is attempting to threaten us, and this may be part of their strategy to intimidate and instill fear. Russia has been engaging in such behavior for a long time. We are committed to resolving the conflict peacefully, as we have made clear on several occasions. We will not permit Russia to influence our domestic or foreign policy through these threats."
Sandu emphasized that the Republic of Moldova "believes in freedom and sovereignty," asserting that decisions made by authorities will prioritize the interests of citizens, not the Kremlin.
In this context, the president noted that Russia is trying to recruit individuals from other countries to fight in the war in Ukraine. However, the residents of the Transnistrian region do not wish to take part in the conflict. She said, “When the war began, many young people from the Transnistrian region moved to the right bank of the Nistru, particularly out of fear that Russia might send them to fight. They do not want to be involved in this crazy and brutal war; they all desire to live in peace.”
When asked if the decree could lead more residents of the region to apply for Russian citizenship, Sandu responded that those who needed Russian citizenship had already obtained it. Instead, she pointed out that an increasing number of people are choosing Moldovan citizenship. “I don’t understand why anyone would want Russian citizenship today. In fact, many who previously did not hold Moldovan passports have acquired them. People aspire to be EU citizens, not Russian citizens these days,” Sandu added.
We remind you that on May 15, Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing residents of the Transnistrian region to obtain Russian citizenship through a simplified process. According to this document, foreign citizens and stateless persons aged 18 and older who permanently reside in the Transnistrian region may submit applications for Russian citizenship without meeting the usual conditions set out in the general legislation on citizenship.
Data from the Bureau for Reintegration Policies show that the State Population Register records 364,885 residents in the localities on the left bank of the Nistru and the Bender municipality, of whom 356,833 are citizens of the Republic of Moldova.
