Russia Summons Moldovan Diplomat Over NATO F-16 Jet Concerns
NATO jets. Photo: X/ @DenesTorteli
August 13, 2024 Hour: 1:34 pm
Moscow also urged Moldova not to take steps that could lead to the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis.
On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned Moldova’s charge d’affaires Alexandru Chetraru over concerns that Moldova could host West-supplied F-16 aircraft to be transferred to Ukraine.
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The Russian diplomacy expressed “serious concern” over media reports that F-16 aircraft, transferred by the West to Ukraine, might be deployed in Moldova and used to bomb Russian territory.
Russia noted “the ongoing militarization of Moldova” and joint exercises between the country and contingents of NATO member states, said the Foreign Affairs Ministry, adding that it also urged Moldova not to take steps that could lead to the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis.
Moscow also highlighted that these trends contradicted the constitutional status of the permanent neutrality of the Republic of Moldova as well as its obligations under the charter documents of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia.
On Tuesday, however, Moldova’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said that its country does not plan to host the F-16 aircraft provided for Ukraine.
“Moldova does not and will not host weapons and military equipment, including aircraft destined for Ukraine… Moldova is a neutral state and its institutions will continue to respect the principle of neutrality,” said the diplomats of the former Soviet republic, which is a neighbour of Ukraine and Romania.
On October 20, Moldovans are scheduled to hold presidential elections. They will also take part in a referendum to decide on their country’s entry into the European Union, an option that has been strongly criticised by the country’s pro-Russian opposition.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: EFE – Xinhua – Interfax
