Foreign Ministry Speaks on Kishinev’s Threats Against Gagauzia Head Gutsul

Threats to the head of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, show that President of the Republic Maia Sandu uses legality for political settling of scores and for pressure, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

"Moldovan President Maia Sandu is no longer shy about her actions, although everyone is well aware that she is using the law for the exact opposite purposes. Namely, as an element of political settling of scores, pressure, and in this case, in my opinion, it is obvious that these are direct threats to a person, who has not just the votes of the electorate behind her, but also the voters’ struggle (I mean Gutsul); the voters reaffirmed their will by literally going out on the streets for a second time," Zakharova said.

Earlier on Thursday, head of the press service for the Moldovan government, Daniel Voda, commenting on the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Gutsul, said that the communication of the Moldovan opposition with the Russian leadership is contrary to the interests of Moldovan citizens.

Moldova's threats to the head of the Gagauz autonomous region, Yevgenia Gutsul, show that Moldovan President Maia Sandu is using the rule of law for political settling of scores and pressure, Russian FM spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"Sandu is no longer even ashamed of her… pic.twitter.com/zzjapzmztl

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 7, 2024

At the same time, he called the head of Gagauzia "a representative of the criminal group Shor". Acting Prosecutor General of Moldova Ion Munteanu reported on an upcoming criminal case against Gutsul. Moldovan opposition leader Ilan Shor said that Kishinev is preparing to arrest the head of Gagauzia immediately after her return from Russia. Gutsul stressed that she would return to the country despite the pressure from the authorities.

According to her, under the disguise democracy, the Sandu administration is trying to build a dictatorship in the country.

"There are many such examples, but what is currently happening in Moldova, and what we have witnessed for months after Sandu came to power, is, in my opinion, the best demonstration of it ," she said.

Gutsul is on a working visit to Russia, where she held meetings with the Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, and other representatives of the Russian government. In addition, she took part in the World Youth Festival, where she held talks with leaders of different Russian regions (Gagauzia has existing partnership agreements with many of them).

France will open a permanent defense mission in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau in the coming months, Macron announced at a meeting with the country's President Maia Sandu in Paris.

This measure will reportedly make it possible to work more effectively to train the armed… pic.twitter.com/cQ26YJorBf

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 7, 2024

Gutsul noted that she intends to expand economic, social and cultural cooperation with the Krasnodar and Penza regions. She also said that she discussed the political situation in Moldova with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the World Youth Festival. This was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Gagauzia is an autonomy in the south of Moldova, which traditionally stands for rapprochement with Russia, while official Kishinev has proclaimed a course towards European integration.

In February 2014, a referendum was held in the region to determine the vector of the country's foreign policy. More than 98% of its participants supported Moldova's integration into the Eurasian Customs Union.