Moldova’s Parliament Approves Defense Strategy
Moldova’s parliament has approved a 10-year defense strategy. The plan aims to increase defense spending to 1% of the country’s GDP by 2030.
The strategy was presented by Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii. He said that the first step towards implementing this plan was taken in 2022, when budget resources for defense were increased to 0.39%. In 2023, this amount was raised to 0.55%.
However, some members of parliament who are pro-Russian criticized the strategy. They called it an unnecessary move against Moscow and questioned Moldova’s ability to defend itself given its small size and limited military capacity.
One member of the Socialist Party, Adrian Albu, said that even if Moldova is attacked by Russia, it won’t be able to resist for long. He asked how Moldova would be able to defend itself if it were under attack.
Moldova lies between Ukraine and Romania, an EU member country. The country has been trying to join the EU since 2014, but its progress has been slow due to internal conflicts and external tensions with Russia.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 raised Moldova’s security concerns. Drone fragments and missiles have landed on or passed through Moldovan airspace. President Maia Sandu accused Russia of attempting to destabilize her government.
The new defense strategy also addresses the risks of the Ukraine war spreading near the Black Sea port of Odesa, which is close to Moldova’s border.
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