"We Need to Decide Which Format Will Be Best for Us." Sandu on Relations with Russia and Meeting with Putin

President Maia Sandu claims that after its appointment, the new Moldovan government and the Russian authorities will discuss a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also, according to her, the new Cabinet of Ministers together with Russia's government will determine the best format of communication with both the President of Russia and the Russian government. Sandu told about this in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper. When asked how she was going to build relations with her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Sandu replied that she was going to meet with him, but the new government of Moldova would discuss arrangements for the meeting with Russian authorities after its appointment. "We are interested in a pragmatic substantive conversation. We have a specific agenda on issues that we must address. When there is a new government, it will start working with the government of the Russian Federation, including arrangements for a meeting (with the President of the Russian Federation - Kommersant) and a visit," Sandu said. She also stated that the Moldovan and Russian authorities need to determine which communication format will be most effective for both parties. "We need to decide which format will be the best for us in order to discuss all issues with both the President of Russia and the government. When the new government is formed, we will start these discussions and find the best format to speak and start working on the bilateral agenda," Sandu said, answering the question whether she will take part in the CIS summit at the end of the year. Sandu listed topics that need to be discussed with the Russian president, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from Moldova. "We have economic and trade issues. There is the issue of opening the export of Moldovan products to Russia under the agreement that we have within the CIS framework. There are questions from our citizens who work in Russia. Issues of their social security and safety. And of course, this is the issue of Transdniestria. Very important issues in this sense are the removal of ammunition from there and the withdrawal of Russian troops," Sandu said. At the same time, she noted that a decision on the settlement of the conflict must first be worked out in Moldova, and then discussed in the 5+2 format of negotiations. Sandu also noted that Moldova intends to establish "good relations with both the West and the East". However, relations with the EU are a priority for the republic. "We will proceed from our interests in these relations. Moreover, I want to say that for us relations with the EU are fundamental: the main assistance in all areas comes from the EU. But our foreign economic policy will be active and will proceed from our interests," Sandu said. Let us remind you that after the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections in Moldova were announced, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "readiness to develop multifaceted cooperation with the new parliament and the government of the Republic of Moldova." "We confirm our readiness to develop multifaceted cooperation with the new parliament and the government of the Republic of Moldova. We hope for the consistent implementation of the existing Russian-Moldovan agreements and arrangements, as well as for the continued active participation of the Republic of Moldova in the integration processes in the CIS space. We are ready to interact with all Moldovan political forces aimed at strengthening ties between our countries and peoples. We are convinced that the friendly nature of relations between Russia and Moldova meets the fundamental interests of our fellow citizens, who are linked by a common history, close spiritual, cultural and humanitarian ties," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.