Officials also state that the restrictive measures come in support of or are the implementation of actions that endanger the sovereignty and independence of the country. “They are also designed as a reaction to the increasing number of attacks on democracy, the rule of law, and the country’s stability and security, and to underline the Federal Council’s support for the current government. Switzerland is ready to support efforts to stabilize the current situation, in accordance with its commitment to cooperation for development, the promotion of economic interests, and the fight against corruption in Moldova”, they stated. At the beginning of this month, Norway joined the European Union sanctions imposed on people who wanted to destabilize the Republic of Moldova. Therefore, their assets will be frozen and their movement will be restricted. In total, five people, including four originating from the Republic of Moldova, were sanctioned by the EU for their involvement in actions to destabilize the country, a sanctions regime created at the proposal of the Romanian Foreign Minister and which is part of the series of political-diplomatic actions initiated by Bucharest to support Chisinau. “Based on the EU sanctions regime for countering destabilising actions of the Republic of Moldova, the EU can take restrictive measures to counter actions that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, as well as its democracy, rule of law, stability, or security”, sent to the MAE from Bucharest. On the announced list are Marina Tauber, Vlad Plahotniuc, Ilan Or, Igor Ceaika, and Gheorghe Cavcaliuc. A few days later, Canadian authorities announced that seven Moldovans had faced sanctions for their ties to the Kremlin, actions aimed at countering Russia’s efforts to destabilise the neighbouring country. These are Vladimir Plahotniuc, Ilan Or, Vladimir Andronachi, Veaceslav Platon, Constantin Botnari, Gheorghe Cavcaliuc, and Marina Tauber, and half of them are also targeted by EU sanctions. Sanctions were also applied to the pro-Russian party Or, led by Ilan Or, a group that organises anti-government protests under the pretext of the internal situation. “A political party closely linked to Ilan Mironovici Or, who is on the list of sanctioned persons and who worked to destabilize the democratically elected government of the Republic of Moldova in favour of Russia”, the Canadian authorities stated. Ottawa leaders also say these measures, as Russia threatens to use its presence on Moldovan territory to draw the country into a war of aggression against Ukraine, undermine Russia’s efforts to prevent Moldova’s national government from exercising full sovereignty on its territory”. At the same time, Canada “reaffirms its commitment to support Ukraine’s efforts to retake its territory and end the Kremlin’s war of choice.”

By Paul Bumman