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Moldovan President Maia Sandu: It should end up in the "garbage can".
Photo: DUMITRU DORU/EPA
The Russian leadership has reacted sharply to a ban on pro-Russian war symbolism in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova.
Russian Senator Alexei Pushkov threatened the President of the Republic, Maia Sandu, that she could end up in the “dustbin of history”.
"She should be more cautious about Russia and its symbols, especially since Chisinau cannot pay for Russian gas," Pushkov wrote on his Telegram channel.
Earlier this week, Chisinau banned the Z and V symbols used to mark Russian troops attacking Ukraine, as well as the St. George's ribbon, used to identify supporters of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, but also pro-Russian separatists in applies to Ukraine.
Sandu justified the ban by saying that the symbols divided society.
Her place was in "history's dumping ground," she said.
Pushkov's answer follows on from this.
The senator is considered one of the spokesmen for Russian foreign policy.
The Republic of Moldova, located between Ukraine and Romania, is seeking EU membership in the wake of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Moldovan government in Chisinau has given Kyiv humanitarian but no military aid against Russia.
In the conflict itself, Moldova declared itself neutral and did not participate in the sanctions against Russia.
Moldova is heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies.
In addition, there are also separation efforts in the country.
The breakaway republic of Transnistria has been ruled de facto by a pro-Russian regime and supported by Russian troops since the 1990s.
In the Republic of Moldova, there are therefore fears that if the Russian invading troops win in Ukraine, the Kremlin could also allow its army to invade their country.
so called/dpa
