In a break with its Soviet past, the Republic of Moldova is preparing to permanently leave the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
01/20/2026, 02:5401/20/2026, 02:54
Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said this on Radio Moldova in Chisinau. The founding documents of the CIS from 1991 and its statute from 1993 should be repealed. His ministry is preparing a corresponding decision by parliament.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu is clearly pro-European.Image: keystone
In the Russian-dominated CIS, the former Soviet republics tried to organize cohesion after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Countries that are enemies of Moscow, such as Ukraine and Georgia, are no longer members. The exit process has been ongoing in Moldova since the country became a candidate for EU membership in 2022.
Opposition wants to hold on to Moscow
However, the small country is politically divided between Ukraine and Romania. Russia is trying with all its might to maintain its influence. President Maia Sandu’s pro-European course is unacceptable, said former President Igor Dodon of the opposition Socialists. His party is committed to close cooperation with Russia, the CIS and China.
In Moscow, a member of parliament said that if Moldova were to leave, it would face the same fate as Ukraine. (sda/dpa)