Moldovan opposition vows protests over Ukraine defense pact

Moldovan socialists demanded on Tuesday that the government declassify a newly signed defense pact with Ukraine, warning of nationwide protests and calling for emergency parliamentary hearings to protect constitutional neutrality.

Constitutional neutrality concerns

The Party of Socialists (PSRM), which holds the largest opposition faction in Moldova's parliament, argued that military-technical cooperation with Kyiv risks drawing the country into a foreign conflict. The faction warned that deepening bilateral defense ties could turn the Republic of Moldova into an active target.

“This intention represents a direct betrayal of the Constitution and a defiant undermining of the country’s permanent neutrality status,” the party said in an official statement. Opposition leaders also reserved the right to challenge the accord before Moldova's Constitutional Court and mobilise mass street demonstrations.

Airspace defense and technology transfer

The political dispute follows the formal signing of the bilateral agreement in Kyiv on 26 October by Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yevhenii Khmara, in the presence of Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan. Chisinau authorities said the five-year pact will grant Moldova access to battle-tested technologies to track and neutralize aerial threats.

“Authorities’ statements regarding airspace protection are nothing more than a cynical smokescreen for overt militarisation and the execution of foreign geopolitical orders,” the socialist statement said. Moldovan defense officials have consistently maintained that constitutional neutrality requires modern surveillance capabilities, following multiple Russian drone and missile incursions into Moldovan airspace since 2022.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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Moldovan opposition vows protests over Ukraine defense pact

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