The Republic of Moldova on its way to Europe
Authors:   Political and Legal Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Derzhaliuk Mykola ,   Institute of World History NAS of Ukraine
Published: November 2023

The author figures out statehood formation processes in Moldova. He pays attention to a controversial legacy that Moldova gained after collapse of the USSR and declaration of independence. Due to industrialisation in the second half of the XX-th century Moldova turned from agrarian into an industrial-agrarian country of the average development. At the same time, Moldovans then as a titular nation experienced significant russification and assimilation. Together with one million of the Russian population’s transfer to Moldova and more than half a million Moldovans’ removal to other republics of the USSR Moldova became then a multinational state. By the end of the XX-th century, Russian-speaking population made up 35% of the republic’s inhabitants, this share in Transdniestria was two thirds then. Russian newcomers and Russian language began to take over socio-political, administrative-economic and cultural-educational life of the country. The author pays attention to the fact that in course of gaining independence of Moldova national-liberational, patriotic and nationalist forces were strengthened to a huge degree. Latin script spelling of Moldovan was resumed and it was given a status of a common state language on the territory of Moldova and its identity with Romanian was accepted. The ideology of unionism and unification with Romania matured. The former dominant Russian was assigned the role of the language of international communication. Unitary form with autonomous rights for national minorities in one country became a model of the state. Russian society and russified Ukrainian community that was the largest in number in Moldova, stood up against state- and nation-building processes in the country. Transdniestria became their struggle. Separatists began to demand provision of the status of the second state language to Russian on the whole territory of Moldova, formation of federal order, according to which Transdniestria would get federation subject status with the right of veto over the decisions of Chisinau in case Tiraspol would disagree with them, and rejection of unification plans with Romania. Moldovan authorities rejected. In response, separatist leaders declared establishment of Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic, its independence and uniting with Russian Federation, preserving Russian armed forces in the area for its defence. Attempts in March-July 1992 to eliminate rebels in Transdniestria and to restore there the power of Chisinau were conquered by Russian armed forces. The author underlines that independence of Transdniestria, declared in 1991, hasn’t been accepted by a single state in the world, even by Russia, and for the last 30 years no plans, projects, memoranda or other international formats have helped solving Transdniestrian conflict. The reason is the passive role of international organisations, which Russia is treacherously making use of. The author stresses that in conditions of the frozen conflict every side that takes part in it suffers great losses. With time, unionist ideas of the society of Republic of Moldova have lost their actuality; moderate forces have taken the upper hand. The state is constantly following the course of neutrality and keeping its sovereignty. There are two currents in RM that for the latest 15 years have displayed their political maturity targeting at EU and Russia. A constructive use of the both international factors has begun dominating in RM. Moldovan course on euro-integration is a priority, nevertheless much attention is also being paid to a constructive collaboration with RF on mutual beneficial terms. Such position stays principal for RM, and declares constant sovereignty is the best confirmation to this. Although, RF and TDR continue to sabotage Chisinau’s initiatives. They believe disintegration of Transdniestria is a serious obstacle for euro-integration of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, of spreading of EU and NATO to the East. The author stresses that international community is unique in its longing to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity of RM, but it has no consensus in the national idea realisation that is based on unitary principles and preventing federalisation of the republic. Many countries consider it appropriate to ensure autonomy for Russian-speaking population or even introduce a federal system in the country. RM continues the course of development of mono-centric state, where national communities have to gain autonomy like in Gagauzia. In spite of this, TDR supported by RF, continues to follow its own independent course. Ukraine is interested in acceleration of Transdniestrian conflict settlement, taking hard efforts for reaching success in the issue that creates real danger for Ukraine. The author also underlines that Ukraine is the only neighbouring country of TDR and a reliable strategic partner that supports its interests steadfastly. It is marked in the article as well that present Moldovan leadership exercise is especially active in European and Russian directions, which contribute to the development of acceptable conditions for both parts of the Republic for advancement of the “common state”.