On 4 September, Moldova’s President Nicolae Timofti said Chisinau is committed to moving closer to the European Union and would not let itself be swayed by Russian deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin’s warning that it could complicate efforts to resolve a conflict over a breakaway region.
Two days earlier, Rogozin said during a visit to Moldova that if the former Soviet republic signs an Association Agreement with the EU it could complicate efforts to resolve the conflict with the Trans-Dniester region and could lead to the loss of Russian gas in the winter.
But Timofti said Moldovans cannot “live under pressure or threats. Citizens have to choose their leaders, who should make sure the country does not depend on a single energy source”.
Timofti said Moldova was committed to European integration. The former Soviet republic hopes to be invited to start EU accession in November.
Russia is pressuring former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, to reject closer ties with the EU.
In August, Russia conducted extra customs checks on Ukrainian imports over several days and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of possible protective measures by Moscow and its customs union allies Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Both Moldova and Ukraine are looking to a November summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, to lock in place key agreements on political association and free trade with the 28-member EU bloc.
Kiev says Russia will remain a strategic partner even after agreements with the EU. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich told parliament on 3 September to draw up draft legislation to prepare the country for the agreements to be signed in Vilnius.