For context, Moldova is forbidden from entering military alliances or allowing allied troops in the country by the terms of their Constitution, which was imposed upon them when they broke away from the Soviet Union.
Because of this, French and EU help is limited to things like auditing Moldovan defences, favorable arms purchase deals, training their people abroad, or sharing intelligence.
For context, Moldova is forbidden from entering military alliances or allowing allied troops in the country by the terms of their Constitution,
Given that their breakaway province Transnistria is doing exactly this, I'd either change this provision or give a damn about it.
Transnistria is not recognized by anybody, not even Russia. The only claim to legitimacy they have is as a province of Moldova, which also assures their economical survival by enabling trade with the EU. All their claims of independence, joining Russia etc. are empty posturing.
They are being enabled by Russian military presence which Moldova doesn't want to challenge because their army doesn't have the strength to finish it quickly and cleanly and could lead to another prolonged conflict and stale mate like it did in the 90s.
Changing the Constitution is indeed the democratic option but it depends on a referendum which would be subject to people's political sympathies and subject to Russian propaganda. Moldova has underwent a pro-West sentiment lately but IMO it's still not quite ready for a sweeping change.
Imposed by the very country that threatens them now, no? I feel that fact alone should void this "neutrality".
If the Moldovan government were to ignore the rule of the law and the democratic process wouldn't they be as bad as the Russian government? In trying to avoid becoming part of an authoritarian regime they'd become one anyway.
If it was imposed undemocratically then it already has absolutely no meaning or purpose, and if the country who imposed it to abuse it to actually swallow you again then it simply becomes a matter of survival. So you can either get rid of it and defend your actual democratic principles, or become part of fascist Russia and throw those principles away anyway.
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