Popsoi: Unification with Romania Is Possible in the Event of a Direct Threat to Moldova’s Security

Chisinau may raise the issue of reunification with Romania based on the 1918 model if the Russian Federation dangerously approaches the country’s borders, posing a threat to its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popsoi, according to Radio Moldova. According to him, Moldova will not be able to “keep fingers crossed” if there is an existential threat to its territorial integrity and the physical safety of its citizens, especially in a situation where Russia “has come too close to our borders, and in fact this happened back in 2014”. Mihai Popsoi noted that in the event of a situation spiraling out of control and posing a direct threat to the existence of the state, its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens, such decisions are taken precisely at such difficult moments. At the same time, he stressed that the authorities want to continue living in peace and hope that Russia will not reach Moldova’s borders and that international partners, Ukraine and the Russian Federation itself will reach a sustainable peace agreement. At the same time, the Foreign Minister clarified that the decision to reunite with Romania could only be made if there was broad public support. “This decision is not an easy one. If it were easy, it would have already been made. Until there is a majority of citizens who support this goal of unification, in a democratic context such a decision can only be made with broad public support, regardless of the wishes or votes of any particular politician,” Popsoi emphasized. During the same program, the head of Moldovan diplomacy stated that President Maia Sandu’s statement about a possible reunification with Romania was nothing new. According to him, similar statements have been made before. He noted that in the context of a complex and unstable international situation, Moldova cannot claim to have guaranteed security, including airspace security. Responding to a question about whether he would personally vote for reunification with Romania, Popsoi noted that the answer “should be obvious” to those who have Romanian citizenship.