Socialist MPs are visiting Moscow after a secret Army meeting
Shortly after attending a closed-door parliamentary session on the size of the National Army, several MPs from the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), along with the party's leader, Igor Dodon, flew to Russia. The two-day working visit is taking place at the invitation of the State Duma and includes meetings with the Kremlin-aligned parties "United Russia" and "A Just Russia."
"The visit aims to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations and develop inter-party cooperation and political dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation," Igor Dodon wrote in a post on his Telegram channel.
The trip comes just days after the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova reviewed—in a closed session on October 8—a draft on the general structure and personnel strength of the National Army.
Only MPs and a limited number of legislative staff were admitted to the meeting; phones, laptops, and smartwatches were prohibited.
President Maia Sandu explained that the document contains classified information that must not reach states hostile to the Republic of Moldova. Additionally, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu stated that reviewing the draft behind closed doors is part of efforts to modernize and strengthen the country's defense capabilities. "At the moment, there are situations where we have equipment—thanks to the help of our partners—but we simply lack enough soldiers and drivers to operate it. We are facing a manpower crisis in the army because, for far too long, the military was treated as an afterthought," explained Vasile Tofan. He added that Parliament has a constitutional and moral obligation to defend the country's sovereignty and security—a commitment all political forces must take seriously.
The procedure drew criticism from the opposition. Vasile Costiuc, leader of the "Democracy at Home" (Democrația Acasă) party, accused the authorities of excessive secrecy and questioned the need for such restrictions, wondering what classified information could possibly be involved given that some MPs frequently travel to Moscow.
