During the electoral debates on Sunday, presidential candidate Stoianoglo stated that he condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine but opposes Moldova’s joining of international sanctions. He emphasized that by joining the sanctions, Moldova lost access to the Russian market and energy resources, and is now buying gas through intermediaries at a higher price.
President Sandu responded that without sanctions, Moldova could face isolation, and its banks and businesses would be at risk. She stressed that sanctions are necessary to stop the war and prevent the financing of weapons.
In response, Stoianoglo said that the current authorities explain all their failures by the war in the neighboring country and cited the example of Turkey, which, as an EU candidate and NATO member, did not join the sanctions against Russia.
