US Congressmen Back Moldova’s Stance Against Russia

Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc (photo centre) looking very friendly to Congressman Pete Olson (photo left) on December 2017 in Washington DC. Photo: Vlad Plahotniuc`s Facebook account

Two US Congressmen, David Price and Pete Olson, have signed a resolution that calls on the US to back Moldova’s European future, and urges Russia to pull out troops from the breakaway Transnistria region.

The resolution recalls that “the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the Government of Moldova have called upon the Government of the Russian Federation to remove its troops from Moldovan territory”.

The resolution refers also to a Constitutional Court of Moldova ruling from May 2017 and a declaration of Moldovan parliament in July 2017 regarding the illegal presence of Russian soldiers on Moldovan soil in Transnistria.

The initiative also backs also “the anti-propaganda law” adopted recently in Moldova, which curbs the activity of Russian broadcasters in the former Soviet republic.

Among issues related to Russia, this resolution envisages strengthening the relation between Chisinau and Brussels and support for reforms needed in Moldova.

The ruling Democratic Party in Moldova has signed a number of contracts in the past with lobbying companies from the United States and the EU.

Both Pete Olson and David Price are co-chairs of the US-Moldova Friendship Group – and the leader of the ruling Democratic Party, Vlad Plahotniuc, met them both in Washington in December 2017.

Russia maintains around 1,500 troops of the 14th Soviet Army, now called the Operative Group of Russian Troops, OGRT, in the breakaway region of Transnistria.