Maia Sandu on Remembrance and Remembrance Day: "We will continue our efforts to keep peace in the country"
The Republic of Moldova has been living side by side for more than a year with a terrible and unjust war started by Russia against Ukraine, and the Moldovan authorities have not allowed "hotheads" to turn the Transnistrian region into the scene of a new conflict. President Maia Sandu made a statement to this effect on Remembrance and Remembrance Day, on the occasion of the commemoration of the fallen heroes of the armed conflict in the Dniester region.
President Sandu added that "none of us wanted that war", as Moldovans are a peaceful people and the authorities want a state where there is room for everyone.
"We still have to work to stitch the rift left by the 1992 fighting, but all these years we have kept peace in our country. Our people want to live in peace: those here on the right bank and the people on the left bank. So far we have not allowed hotheads to turn the Transnistrian region into the scene of a new conflict. We will continue our efforts to keep peace in the country. Moldovan authorities are doing their utmost to prevent and not allow the situation on the Dniester to become tense. We do not want war to be repeated in our own backyard. Never again. That is why we must know our history, remember its lessons. Let us reject the hostile propaganda that hides the truth and clouds people's minds. Let's keep our ability to judge and see things clearly," said Maia Sandu.
The president believes that people on the right bank have chosen the European path of development where they can live in peace and prosperity.
"I am confident that people on the left bank would also appreciate the chance to live their lives in prosperity and freedom - a chance they have not had so far. We must work together to build a society based on freedom and mutual respect. A society in which different people live freely and peacefully, as they wish - without false liberators, enemies or propaganda," the head of state continued.
The President also expressed her thanks to the veterans for their sacrifice 31 years ago.
Over 30,000 soldiers, policemen and volunteers participated in the war, of whom 300 lost their lives and dozens were missing. The Nistru war officially ended on 21 July 1992, when Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Moldovan President Mircea Snegur signed the ceasefire agreement in Moscow.
Over the years, negotiations have taken place in various formats, but the Transnistrian conflict has not been resolved. The Russian army has still not withdrawn from the left bank of the Dniester, as it was supposed to do according to its commitments. To date, troops of the Russian 14th Army continue to be stationed on the territory of the Transnistrian region and the Cobasna military depot is estimated to hold some 20 thousand tonnes of ammunition.
