Overview
- At its first meeting, the new cabinet unanimously approved a bill to close the Russian House in Chisinau and to submit a draft law to Parliament denouncing the cultural centers agreement.
- Culture Minister Cristian Jardan presented the measure, and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu welcomed it as a priority for the new government.
- Officials cited the risk of Russia promoting distorted narratives and recalled February’s step to terminate the arrangement after drone incidents that Chisinau blamed on Moscow.
- Because the accord entered into force on July 4, 2021 and renews automatically in five-year terms, officials say Moldova can complete withdrawal no earlier than July 4, 2026.
- Protests by Russian compatriots followed the move, Russia’s ambassador Oleg Ozerov rejected the drone accusations, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the decision.