Igor Dodon traveled to Minsk, where he met with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. During the visit, the Moldovan deputy criticized the current government and described Lukashenko as a “patriot of Moldova.”
Dodon made the statement during discussions on European integration. According to the Belarusian state agency BELTA, he said that President Maia Sandu has realized that the European integration goal may not be achievable, and he claimed that her statements about union with Romania undermine Moldova’s statehood.
“Dear friend, comrade of the Moldovan people! You have just spoken these words, and I have mixed feelings. Pride, respect, and disappointment. Pride and respect because you said such beautiful words about my homeland. And disappointment because I understand that (…) the president of another country is a greater patriot of Moldova than the current president of Moldova. It hurts my soul,” Dodon said.
In response, Lukashenko advised Moldovans not to sever ties with the Russian Federation despite their European aspirations. He also expressed affection for Moldova and its people. His remarks were published by the Telegram channel “Pul Pervogo,” which is associated with the Minsk administration.
“Do not cut the umbilical cord and do not break ties with those you have always gotten along with. (…) I want to publicly say that Moldova and Moldovans are our love and the love of the entire former Soviet Union. We had great respect for your country and we do not want to lose it,” Lukashenko said.
No official information about the purpose of Dodon’s visit or other planned meetings has been released by the Socialists or by Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) so far.