At least 75 000 people turned out at a rally in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, in support of the country’s attempt to join the EU.
The rally was organised by the former Soviet state’s president, Maia Sandu.
Sandu had accused Russia of meddling in Moldovan internal politics and of supporting the country’s pro-Russian Sor Party. Moscow has denied the allegations.
Sandu was quoted as telling the rally: ‘We don’t want to be on the outskirts of Europe anymore,’ promising that the country would join the EU by 2030.
Moldova became an official candidate country for admission to the EU in 2022.
Moldova has been caught in the crossfire in the current war between Russia and Ukraine, with Russian missiles crossing Moldovan airspace to hit Ukrainian targets. Russia also reduced its gas supply to Moldova, because of Moldova’s perceived anti-Russian stance.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay