Alexandr Stoianoglo Ready to Engage in Dialogue with Russia
In the lead-up to the decisive second round of elections in Moldova on November 3, Alexandr Stoianoglo sat down for an interview with the Russian news agency TASS. The resulting article not only featured Stoianoglo’s views but also included opinions from the Russian state news agency, painting Maia Sandu in a negative light and positioning Stoianoglo as the optimal choice for Moldova.
Stoianoglo: “Contacts with Russia a Matter of National Interest”
During the interview, Stoianoglo expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with Russian officials and to build pragmatic relationships if he wins the upcoming round of elections. He emphasized that contacts with Russia are not driven by ideology but by national interest and stability for every Moldovan citizen.
Stoianoglo stated, “It would be naive to believe that severed ties or animosity towards a large neighbor can be beneficial for a country. On the contrary, constructive relationships and mutual respect will help us remain sovereign and independent in our choices and not become hostages to unilateral policies. Paradoxically, true independence requires balanced dialogue, not the escalation of conflicts.”
Russian Agency Accuses Maia Sandu of Avoiding Moscow
The TASS article continued by highlighting the strained relations between Chisinau and Moscow since Maia Sandu became president in 2020. Sandu had initially expressed her intention to visit Russia to discuss important bilateral issues, including Moldovan exports, gas deliveries, and support for Moldovan citizens working in Russia. However, the visit never materialized, and following Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, Sandu sided with the West and criticized Moscow. Subsequently, several Russian media outlets were banned in Moldova in 2022, and a large group of Russian diplomats were expelled from Chisinau, leading to the lowest bilateral relations in history, according to Moldovan Vice Premier Mihai Popsui as cited by TASS.
Usatîi Claims Pressure from Moscow to Withdraw in Favor of Stoianoglo
Contrary to his statements to TASS, Stoianoglo declared strong support for Moldova’s accession to the European Union during a public debate with Maia Sandu in Moldova. In the first round of the presidential elections, Maia Sandu garnered 42.49% of the votes, while Alexandr Stoianoglo received 25.95%. Third-place candidate Renato Usatîi, who secured 13.79% of the votes, announced his abstention from the runoff and left his supporters to decide on their final vote.
Usatîi explained his abstention by stating his unwillingness to vote for Sandu, whose regime he criticized, as well as his rejection of Stoianoglo, alleging hidden support for the latter. Usatîi claimed that Moscow pressured him to withdraw in favor of Stoianoglo. The second round of voting is scheduled for Sunday, November 3.