Minsk 14:15

Lukašenka criticizes Moldova’s plan to leave CIS

Summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Turkmenistan
(Belarusian leader's press office)

October 9, Pozirk. Moldova’s forthcoming withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States is a “short sighted” decision by the country’s leadership rather than a choice made by “ordinary Moldovans,” Alaksandar Łukašenka said on October 9, speaking during a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Turkmenistan, according to his press office and state media.

Łukašenka claimed that Moldova’s authorities “understand this” and are reluctant to pull out of the Free Trade Area Agreement.

He urged Chișinău to keep options open for “ordinary citizens” and avoid breaking ties with the Russia-led CIS “at least initially.” “Simply put, why lose what we have?” he wondered.

Citing Georgia’s earlier exit from the CIS, Łukašenka argued that “history always repeats itself.” He said that the “CIS foundation” makes it easier for countries to restore “normal relations” and deepen cooperation. 

Łukašenka criticized the Commonwealth for not doing enough to strengthen member states’ economies and warned that other countries could gradually drift away toward other alliances. “We know perfectly well who is eyeing our organization’s [member] states,” he said.

Moldova stopped participating in CIS activities in 2023 and is scheduled to formally leave the Commonwealth on April 8, 2027. In June 2022, Moldova became a candidate for membership in the European Union.

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