Diasporic opinion: Moldova is secretly discussing the abolition of visa-free travel with the Russian Federation

Discussions on the abolition of the visa-free regime with Russia have intensified in the Moldovan parliament, Izvestia found out. The country's further withdrawal from the CIS agreements is also on the agenda. In the near future, Chisinau should be expected to accelerate steps aimed at severing relations with Russia and the commonwealth. It is possible that the republic may completely sever ties with the CIS before 2028, said MP Bogdan Tsyrdea. How the cancellation of visa—free travel can turn out and what else should be expected from the Moldovan authorities - in the Izvestia article.

Discussions on the abolition of the visa-free regime with the Russian Federation

Discussions on the abolition of the visa-free regime with Russia are gaining momentum in the Moldovan parliament, although they have not yet resulted in a formal initiative.

— But it is clear that at the level of individual deputies from the ruling party, at the level of individual political scientists, journalists, and so on, there were statements that it would not hurt to abandon the agreement on strategic partnership and friendship with the Russian Federation of 2001. And, of course, it would not hurt to abandon visa-free travel with the Russian Federation. Such voices are heard. It's not official yet. These are not legislative initiatives yet. But the fact that they already exist is certainly alarming," Bogdan Tsyrdya, a deputy from the Party of Socialists, told Izvestia.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Dmitry Osmatesco

It is worth emphasizing that the largest Moldovan diaspora lives in Russia — more than 300 thousand people. Russia is also a source of income for thousands of families and a sales market for Moldovan agricultural products.

In general, such a step from the Moldovan authorities is really to be expected, political analyst Oleg Bondarenko tells Izvestia.

— It is quite possible that Chisinau may break off visa-free relations with Russia. And this will mean not only the impossibility for Russian citizens to visit Moldova, but also for Moldovan citizens to come here. And in Russia, as it is known, according to various estimates, about half a million Moldovans work. And, of course, it will be a very serious blow for them," he says.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Alexander Kazakov

In response, Moscow may also introduce visas, the expert emphasizes. Earlier, at the initiative of Chisinau, direct flights to the Russian Federation were canceled, which significantly complicated the lives of ordinary citizens. It takes much longer to travel between countries, and tickets have become much more expensive. At the same time, Russian Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Ozerov stressed that Russia is ready to discuss with Chisinau the resumption of direct flights as a first step to normalize relations.

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After the parliamentary elections in 2025, Moldova confirmed its commitment to moving away from the Russian Federation and the CIS. On October 8, the republic approved a ten-year military strategy, where Russia was named the main "threat" to national security. It also implies a rapprochement with NATO.

Photo: Global Look Press/IMAGO/Fotostand/Nieweler

After the elections, a new prime Minister, Alexandru Munteanu, who holds Romanian and US citizenship and has lived in Ukraine for many years, came to power. He has repeatedly advocated strengthening ties with the West. "Moldova has made its choice. We fully accept Europe, and the country does not hesitate to return to where it belongs, to a space of freedom, opportunity and development," he said.

The decision to denounce the agreement with Russia on the functioning of the Russian House in Chisinau was significant. It will continue to operate until July 2026. Alexander Munteanu called the Russian House a "propaganda tool." In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moldovans perceive such statements "simply as a mockery of people."

"We regard this decision as another step aimed at destroying the centuries—old Russian-Moldovan ties," she said.

Russian Russian Community Chairman of Moldova, deputy of the first Parliament of the Republic Lyudmila Lashchenova at the Parliament building of Moldova before the start of the meeting, which is considering the liquidation of the Russian House, November 11

Photo: TASS/Vadim Denisov

The closure of the center was actually a turning point in the relations between the government and the Russian-speaking population, said Nicole Bodisteanu, an analyst at the National Research University Higher School of Economics. According to official data, 11.1% of residents consider Russian to be their native language, and about 15.9% use it as a spoken language.

Russians Russian—speaking population of the country considered the decision to close the Russian House in Chisinau as the main conductor of Russian culture and identity to be an important milestone," she told Izvestia.

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What other steps can Chisinau take?

Speeding up the withdrawal from the CIS is also on the agenda of the parliament in Moldova, Bogdan Tsyrdea notes.

— An agreement on the denunciation of certain agreements with the CIS is currently being discussed. One of them is the agreement on visa—free travel with the CIS, on taxes. The pace is gaining maximum momentum," he said.

On November 12, the Government of the Republic approved the denunciation of seven agreements within the CIS, including visa-free travel for citizens of the participating states. However, the withdrawal from the association agreements is not a one—time impulse. Chisinau as a whole adopted a policy of actively moving away from the CIS and closer to the European Union and NATO almost immediately after the current President Maia Sandu and the ruling Action and Solidarity party came to power. To date, Moldova has denounced 64 CIS treaties.

Photo: Global Look Press/Kay Nietfeld

Chisinau plans to close negotiations with the EU and sign an accession agreement by 2028. It is possible that Moldova will most likely withdraw from all CIS agreements within two years, Bogdan Tsyrdea believes.

— By 2028, they will have to introduce a visa regime with Russia and cancel the free trade zone with the CIS. And to renounce or terminate all agreements with the commonwealth. In fact, it will be done in two years," he said.

In the near future, we really should expect even greater steps away from cooperation with the CIS, experts tell Izvestia.

"One way or another, there will be more and more such actions and decisions that will sever the last ties with the Russian Federation and integration projects under its auspices,— says Nicole Bodisteanu.

Photo: Global Look Press/Marijan Murat

Breaking these agreements will be very painful, Oleg Bondarenko believes. In addition, in 2025, the country faced economic difficulties caused by a sharp rise in the price of energy resources. This had a negative impact on production costs and inflation, which put the Moldovan economy in a crisis situation.