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☆ Moldova airport shooting suspect in coma, wanted in Tajikstan for abduction
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, July 1 (Reuters) - The chief suspect in a shootout in Moldova's main international airport remained in a coma on Saturday and was wanted in his native Tajikistan in connection with the abduction of a bank officer, Moldovan authorities said. The 43-year-old man grabbed a gun and shot dead two security officers and wounded a civilian on Friday after being denied entry to ex-Soviet Moldova, they said. Musteata said the suspect would be tried in Moldova and face an aggravated murder charge "if he survives". Moldova, lying between Ukraine and European Union member Romania, has been severely buffeted by the war in Ukraine. President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion and set EU membership of her country as the top foreign policy priority.

Persons: Ion Musteata, Dragos Galbur, Musteata, Maia Sandu, Ron Popeski, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Moldova, Officials, European Union, Romania, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Tajikistan, Soviet Moldova, Istanbul, Moldovan, Moldova, Soviet, Central Asia, Dushanbe, Chisinau, Ukraine

☆ Gunman kills two at Moldova's main airport before being arrested - police
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU, June 30 (Reuters) - A foreign national shot dead two people at Moldova's main international airport on Friday after being denied entry into the country, police and the interior ministry said. Police detained the man after the incident at Chisinau International Airport, the east European country's largest airport. Moldova's Newsmaker website cited unnamed officials saying the man had seized a gun from a border police officer after being taken to an area to be barred entry. Moldova, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, has a population of 2.6 million and is pushing to join the European Union. Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Writing by Olena Harmash and Tom Balmforth; Editing by Timothy HeritageOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Moldova's, Alexander Tanas, Olena Harmash, Tom Balmforth, Timothy Organizations: Police, Chisinau International Airport, Facebook, European Union, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Chisinau, Turkey, Moldova, Soviet Union, Romania, Ukraine

☆ Tajik man shoots two dead at Moldova's international airport
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, June 30 (Reuters) - A 43-year-old Tajik man grabbed a gun, shot dead two security officers and wounded a civilian at Moldova's main international airport on Friday after being denied entry to the country, authorities said. The suspected assailant was himself wounded and apprehended, police said, in an incident that briefly grounded flights at Chisinau International Airport. Moldova's acting chief prosecutor, Ion Munteanu, said the shooting was being examined as a terrorist act. The two killed were a border guard and an airport security officer, President Maia Sandu said, offering condolences. It was only after we went far away from the airport that we were told there is someone who is shooting."

Persons: Ion Munteanu, Olena Shevelyova, Dorin Recean, Maia Sandu, Munteanu, Dragos Galbur, Alexander Tanas, Olena Harmash, Tom Balmforth, Cynthia Osterman, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Chisinau International Airport, European Union, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Chisinau, Tajikistan, Soviet, Asia, Istanbul, Moldova, Moldovan, Soviet Union, Ukrainian, Milan

☆ Moldova bans pro-Russian Shor party after months of protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Marina Tauber, leader of the opposition pro-Russian political party Shor, delivers a speech during a hearing of the Constitutional Court in Chisinau, Moldova, June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav CuliomzaSummary Constitutional Court bans pro-Russian Shor partyShor lawmakers can remain in parliament as independentsPresident Maia Sandu welcomes court's decisionCHISINAU, June 19 (Reuters) - Moldova's Constitutional Court on Monday banned the pro-Russian Shor party that has led months of protests and is headed by an exiled businessman accused by the West and the government of trying to destabilise the country. Shor has denied the protests are part of a Russian threat or of attempts to destabilise Moldova. Parliamentary speaker Igor Grosu said the court's decision was "an important victory for Moldovan democracy". Opposition Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon said Sandu's governing Action and Solidarity Party had "officially become totalitarian, destroying opposition forces" and that it would eventually suffer the same fate as the Shor party.

Persons: Marina Tauber, Shor, Vladislav Culiomza, Maia Sandu, Ilan Shor, Nicolae Rosca, Sandu, Igor Grosu, Igor Dodon, Alexander Tanas, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Heritage, Mark Heinrich, Ed Osmond Organizations: Constitutional, REUTERS, West, European Union, EU, Moldovan, Opposition Socialist Party, Solidarity Party had, Thomson Locations: Russian, Chisinau, Moldova, CHISINAU, Israel, United States, Soviet, Russia, Moldova's, Transdniestria

NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) surveillance aircraft will watch the skies over the summit venue through Friday, the alliance said in a statement. Missile debris from the war in Ukraine has been found in Moldova several times since Russia invaded 15 months ago. "NATO AWACS can detect aircraft, missiles and drones hundreds of kilometres away, making them an important early warning capability," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. The summit will also touch on a range of strategic issues, ranging from energy to cybersecurity and migration. Reporting by John Irish, Andrew Gray and Alexander Tanas; writing by John Irish; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Nicu Popescu, Ana Revenco, Oana Lungescu, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Maia Sandu, Ursula von der, Albin Kurti, Aleksandar Vucic, ” Borrell, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, John Irish, Andrew Gray, Alexander Tanas, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: High Representative, European Union for Foreign Affairs, Moldova's, Russia, NATO, Kyiv, Control Systems, European, Kosovo, EU, Thomson Locations: Chisinau, Moldova, Ukraine, Kosovo, Moldovan, Romania, Russia, Ursula von der Leyen, KOSOVO, Slovakia, defusing, Serbian, Europe, Azerbaijan, Armenia

☆ Pro-government rally in Moldovan capital draws tens of thousands
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] People wave flags of European Union and Moldova during a rally to support the European path of the country, in Chisinau, Moldova May 21, 2023. President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of seeking to sabotage its European integration by fuelling anti-government protests and propaganda. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, on a visit to Chisinau, also addressed the rally, saying Europe would welcome Moldova "with open arms and open hearts". "This is about the both of us: You will bring a piece of Moldova to Europe, and you will make Europe stronger," she said. "I believe in a European Moldova and want for my country a future with advanced economic and socio-political development," said 18-year-old attendee Alexandrina Miron.

☆ Moldovan region headed for clash with pro-European government
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, May 16 (Reuters) - The assembly in a pro-Russian region of Moldova on Tuesday endorsed the election of a local leader intent on improving ties with Moscow, a move that set up a clash with the country's pro-European government. The southern Moldovan region of Gagauzia elected a new "bashkan", or leader, last weekend in a race featuring only pro-Russian candidates. But Moldova's prime minister and other officials have suggested central authorities will try to annul the results on grounds of widespread irregularities. "The police and prosecutors have made public irregularities noted in the course of the vote," he told Moldova's Pro TV. As the Gagauzia assembly unanimously approved the election outcome, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the building shouting "Down with Dictatorship, down with Maia Sandu!"

☆ Moldova summons Russian envoy to expel member of embassy staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

CHISINAU, April 19 (Reuters) - Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador on Wednesday to declare a member of the Russian embassy staff persona non grata, a government spokesperson said. Government press secretary Daniel Voda told reporters the decision was connected to the actions of embassy staff towards Moldovan border guards who denied entry to a regional Russian politician at Chisinau airport this week. The embassy staffer was not named. (This story has been refiled to fix the spokesperson's surname)Reporting by Alexander Tanas, writing by Max Hunder, Editing by Timothy HeritageOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Moldova outdoor assembly to confirm pro-European orientation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries wedged between Ukraine and Romania, has been buffeted by Russia's war in Ukraine which President Maia Sandu has repeatedly denounced. Moldova and its population of 2.5 million, Sandu said, stood at a crossroads, with collective action needed for its future. Big decisions are taken by people during Great National Assemblies," she said. ... We are Europeans and at the Great National Assembly on 21st May, we will show that this is the path we have chosen." Moldova, like Ukraine, has formally sought to become a member of the European Union, a process which normally takes several years.

☆ No risk of war in Moldova while Ukraine holds out - President Sandu
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, March 17 (Reuters) - President Maia Sandu said on Friday she saw no danger of war in Moldova while Russia is fighting in Ukraine, despite what she said were Russian efforts to destabilise her country. "There is no danger of war coming to Moldova while Ukraine is fighting," Sandu told parliament. "I want to reassure our citizens that Moldova is not now in any danger of war. Sandu repeated accusations, denied by Moscow, that Russia wants to destabilise Moldova. "As long as I am president, Moldova will hold out," said Sandu, who became president in 2020.

☆ Moldova no longer needs Russian gas, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Gazprom PAO FollowCHISINAU, March 15 (Reuters) - Ex-Soviet Moldova is no longer receiving Russian gas or enduring the "blackmail" imposed by gas giant Gazprom over its difficulties in paying for supplies, the country's energy minister said. But when the (rest of Moldova) was getting gas, the Russian company resorted to supply cuts, to blackmail." A contingent of 1,500 Russian "peacekeepers" remain in the separatist region 30 years after a brief war pitting it against newly independent Moldova. Transdniestria channels funds from gas bills paid by domestic and industrial users to a "gas account" used to cover some of its substantial budget deficits. The sum of Transdniestria's unpaid bills for Russian gas is estimated by Moldovan officials at several billion dollars.

☆ Police limit anti-government protest in Moldova
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Moldovan law enforcement officers stand guard during an anti-government protest against the recent countrywide increase of power rates and prices, which is organised by opposition political movements including the Russia-friendly party Shor, in Chisinau, Moldova, March 12, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav CuliomzaCHISINAU, March 12 (Reuters) - Police in Moldova kept several thousand demonstrators away from government buildings on Sunday after officials warned of possible organised disorder at the protest, the latest of a series denouncing pro-European President Maia Sandu. Moldova accused Russia last month of plotting to overthrow Sandu, while the United States pledged to support her government against destabilisation. Andrei Spinu, head of Sandu's administration, denounced Sunday's rally as "not a protest. This was yet another attempt by Russia to destabilise the situation in Moldova."

☆ Greek president cuts short Moldova trip after train collision
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU, March 1 (Reuters) - Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Wednesday she was cutting short a visit to Moldova to return to Greece following a train collision in which officials said at least 36 people were killed. "Unfortunately, I have to interrupt my visit in order to be close to my people, to support those who need it," she told a joint news conference in the Moldovan capital Chisinau with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Even at this moment, a life-saving operation is going on to help those who are on this death train." Her planned two-visit to Moldova began on Wednesday morning with a meeting with Sandu, and she had been due to hold meetings with parliamentary and government leaders. Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Editing by Timothy HeritageOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Moldova and Romania vow to boost ties amid war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERSBUCHAREST, March 1 (Reuters) - Moldova and Romania pledged on Wednesday to boost economic ties following Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, and Bucharest reiterated support for Chisinau's bid to join the European Union. Moldova has been hit hard by the economic fallout of the war in Ukraine, which borders both Moldova and Romania, and tensions with Russia have risen over the war in Ukraine and the tiny former Soviet republic's EU accession bid. Recean said talks also covered regional security and that Moldova, which is highly dependent on Russian gas, was considering signing long-term contracts on gas and electricity supplies from Romania. "Romania will firmly support Moldova's European agenda, economic recovery and strengthening its security," said Iohannis, whose country joined the EU in 2007. Recean said Moldova and Romania enjoyed a "special relationship" and that Romania's experience in joining the EU was helpful for Chisinau.

☆ Wizz Air to suspend Moldova flights, citing security
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Wizz Air said in a statement it would lay on extra flights from the Romanian city of Iasi as replacements, including a new service to Berlin, and more flights to Barcelona, Milan Bergamo, Bologna, Rome Ciampino, Rome Fuimicino, Dortumand, Larnaca, London Luton and Treviso. Flights to Budapest and Prague will not be replaced and those inbound to Chisinau will be reallocated to other destinations in the Wizz Air network, it said. Tensions between Russia and Moldova have grown in recent months as Russian missiles aimed at Ukraine have entered Moldovan airspace and authorities have blamed the Kremlin for fuelling anti-government protests, something it denies. It said the civil aviation authority and the ministry of infrastructure and regional development had been in "constant cooperation" with Wizz Air representatives and informed them of the procedures in place to ensure aviation security. The aviation authority would take "all necessary actions" to return Wizz Air to Chisinau airport as soon as possible, and to attract other low-cost airlines.

☆ Russia warns West over threatening its troops in Moldovan region
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Russia told the West on Friday that it would view as an attack on itself any actions that threatened Russian peacekeepers in Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region, one day after Moscow accused Ukraine of deploying troops near the region's border. The warning comes amid increased concerns in Moldova, a small ex-Soviet republic bordering Ukraine, of a possible Russian threat to its own independence. On Thursday, Russia accused Kyiv of planning to invade Transdniestria, which borders Ukraine. "We warn the United States, NATO member states and their Ukrainian wards against taking yet another reckless step," Russia's foreign ministry said on Friday. If possible threats to the security of the country are identified, the ministry will immediately inform the public," the Moldovan ministry said.

☆ Moldova dismisses Russian report of Ukraine plot over Transdniestria
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Moldova dismissed an accusation by Russia's defence ministry on Thursday that Ukraine planned to invade the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniestria after staging a false flag operation, and called for calm. The Russian news agency RIA said Ukraine, which borders Moldova, planned to stage an attack by purportedly Russian forces from Transdniestria as a pretext for the invasion. The Moldovan government issued a statement on the Telegram messaging app saying state authorities "do not confirm" the Russian defence ministry's allegations. "Our institutions cooperate with foreign partners and in the case of threats to the country, the public will be promptly informed." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week it was "obvious" that Ukraine would not be Russia's last stop after invading Ukraine, and that the Kremlin was thinking about ways to "strangle" Moldova.

☆ Putin cancels decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty in separatist conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CHISINAU, Feb 22 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin revoked on Tuesday a 2012 decree that in part underpinned Moldova's sovereignty in resolving the future of the Transdniestria region - a Moscow-backed separatist region which borders Ukraine and where Russia keeps troops. The decree, which included a Moldova component, outlined Russia's foreign policy 11 years ago which assumed Moscow's closer relations with the European Union and the United States. It is part of a series of anti-Western moves announced by Putin on Tuesday. "The decree is a policy document that implements the concept of Russia's foreign policy," Flenchea told Publika-TV. "Moldova and Russia have a basic political agreement that provides for mutual respect for the territorial integrity of our countries."

☆ Moldovan parliament approves new pro-Western government
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] Dorin Recean attends a session of a parliamentary commission in Chisinau, Moldova, February 16, 2023 before his confirmation as prime minister. REUTERS/Vladislav CuliomzaSummary President nominated Dorin Recean as prime ministerRecean says he will pursue EU membershipEconomy in turmoil, relations with Russia are tenseCHISINAU, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Moldova's parliament approved a pro-Western government led by new Prime Minister Dorin Recean on Thursday after he pledged to revive the economy and chart a course towards the European Union. Recean, a former interior minister and presidential aide, secured the approval of 62 lawmakers in the 101-seat parliament after outlining his policy plans in a programme entitled "Prosperous, Secure, European Moldova." Its economy is highly dependent on Russian gas flows and has been hit by the spillover effects of the war in Ukraine. Tensions have at times been exacerbated by missile debris landing on Moldovan territory after Russian attacks on Ukraine.

☆ Moldova closes airspace, one day after warning of Russian coup plot
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Moldova temporarily closed its air space on Tuesday, one day after the tiny east European country's president accused Russia of plotting to bring down its government. "Dear passengers, at this moment, the airspace of the Republic of Moldova is closed. We are waiting for the resumption of flights," Air Moldova, Moldova's main airline, said on Facebook. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week his country had uncovered a Russian intelligence plan "for the destruction of Moldova". Moldova said last Friday that a Russian missile had violated its airspace during an attack on Ukrainian infrastructure and summoned the Russian ambassador to protest.

☆ Moldovan president warns of Russian plot to topple leadership
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Moldova's president accused Russia on Monday of planning to use foreign saboteurs to bring down her tiny country's leadership, stop it joining the European Union and use it in the war against Ukraine. President Maia Sandu made her comments after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week his country had uncovered a Russian intelligence plan "for the destruction of Moldova", and days after the country's government resigned. Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine, has repeatedly expressed concern about Moscow's intentions towards the former Soviet republic and about the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway Transdniestria region. Our goal is peace and public order in the country," Sandu told a news briefing. Russia denied last year wanting to intervene in Moldova after authorities in Transdniestria said they had been targeted by a series of attacks.

☆ Moldovan prime minister announces government resignation
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita announced on Friday that her government was resigning, after a turbulent 18 months in power marked by economic turmoil and the aftershocks of Russia's war on neighbouring Ukraine. "I believe in the Moldovan people. I believe in Moldova," she told a news briefing. It also suffered power cuts following Russian air attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and has struggled to break its dependence on Russian gas. Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Writing by Dan Peleschuk, Editing by Timothy HeritageOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Moldova says missile debris found in north of the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The president of Moldova, Ukraine's western neighbour, denounced a new wave of Russian attacks on Ukrainian targets on Saturday after missile debris was found just inside the small former Soviet state's border. Moldovan border police found rocket fragments near Larga village in northern Moldova," President Maia Sandu tweeted. At least 12 people died when a missile hit an apartment building in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Moldova's interior ministry earlier said missile debris had been found in the north of the country. Similar incidents in Moldova, which borders Ukraine, have occurred twice before, including in December when police found fragments of a missile that came down in a region of northern Moldova near the border with Ukraine.

☆ Moldova fears new Russian push towards breakaway east next year -spy chief
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Moldova's spy chief warned on Monday of a "very high" risk of a new Russian offensive towards his country's east next year and said Moscow still aimed to secure a land corridor through Ukraine to the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniestria. "The question is not whether the Russian Federation will undertake a new advance towards Moldova's territory, but when it will do so," Musteata told the TVR-Moldova television channel. The Information and Security Service said in a statement that it expected Russian offensive action would depend on the course of its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. To Ukraine's west, fellow ex-Soviet republic Moldova has a tiny defence budget and has long had Russian troops and peacekeepers based in Transdniestria, a breakaway statelet that has survived for three decades with support from Moscow. Moldova, now seeking closer ties with the West like Ukraine, has condemned the Russian invasion of its larger neighbour.

☆ Moldova central bank to hold extraordinary meeting on Monday
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

KYIV, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Moldova's central bank said on Sunday that it will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday to assess its main policy indicators, including its key rate. Moldova's key policy rate is currently 21.5%. The country is battling a spike in energy costs as it wages a dispute with Russia's Gazprom, its main gas supplier. Reporting by Alexander Tanas, writing by Max Hunder, editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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