---
title: "Moldovans cling to neutrality despite stark defense deficits "
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/86764/moldovans-cling-to-neutrality-despite-stark-defense-deficits
published: 2026-10-07T15:30:00Z
language: en
author: "Liubomir Guțu"
section: "Social"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Moldovans cling to neutrality despite stark defense deficits 

> Most Moldovans view constitutional neutrality as their primary security shield, a new poll showed Wednesday, even as an overwhelming majority acknowledges the country cannot withstand foreign aggression.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/82e5395c-eea6-4bf0-b903-a37bbeddbc30.jpg)

Most Moldovans view constitutional neutrality as their primary security shield, a new poll showed Wednesday, even as an overwhelming majority acknowledges the country cannot withstand foreign aggression.

The sociological survey, published by the Center for Sociological Research and Marketing CBS-AXA, highlights persistent uncertainty across the EU-candidate nation amid the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine.

**Emergency services retain highest public confidence**

Emergency responders and traditional authorities continue to enjoy the strongest public confidence. The SMURD emergency rescue service leads public trust at 81.5%, followed by the Church at 65.1% and local administrations at 54.3%. Law enforcement bodies also maintain solid ratings, with the Carabinieri recording 49.7% and the Police 49.1%.

Conversely, political and judicial institutions face widespread scepticism. Courts registered the lowest confidence at just 24.5%, closely trailed by Parliament at 24.9% and the Public Prosecutor's Office at 25.6%.

**Geopolitical divide fuels domestic polarisation**

While shared cultural values, national heritage, and the desire for peace continue to unite citizens, external alignment remains deeply divisive. A staggering 81.1% of respondents said society is polarised, compared to 46.1% recorded five years ago.

Economic distress and external risks continue to weigh on public morale. More than half of respondents, or 55.5%, believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, while 57.2% express uncertainty about their future. Corruption, poverty, and the war in Ukraine were cited as paramount vulnerabilities by 32.7% of participants.

**Neutrality remains preferred over military alliances**

Nearly 84% of surveyed citizens believe Moldova is entirely unprepared to counter foreign aggression. Even so, acute fear regarding the conflict in Ukraine dropped to 33%, down sharply from 59.4% in May 2022.

When assessing defence options, 45.2% identified permanent neutrality as the most effective solution for national security. European Union accession ranked second, followed by security cooperation with the Russian Federation.

Western partners remain central to national stability. The European Union and neighbouring Romania are viewed as crucial allies for economic assistance and sovereignty by 65.2% and 64.8% of respondents, respectively. More than 60% maintained that Moldova requires sustained foreign assistance to secure its borders, while 48.2% still consider Russia a dependable partner.

The nationwide poll was conducted between August 25 and September 9, 2026, across a representative sample of 2,009 respondents, with a margin of error of ±2.2%.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

***
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