Moldova Builds Museum Commemorating Soviet Occupation

Moldovan Defense Minister Anatol Salaru stood his ground in the face of Russian opposition, moving ahead with plans to build a Museum of Soviet Occupation within the Center of Military Culture and History in the nation’s capital, Chisinau. Salaru described the museum as a commemoration of Moldovan history, a history in which Soviet occupation played a significant and unforgettable role. Russian External Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov deemed the museum construction effort a cynical act and a violation of a previous agreement between the two neighbors. He cited Moldova’s duty to remember the fallen soldiers of the former Soviet states in World War II.

Moldova’s refusal to back down in the face of Russian pressures strengthens the image of autonomy from Russian influence that the country has been seeking to attain.

In addition, Moldova’s dual Russian and Romanian demographic presents a political challenge. The Romanian population has pushed for Moldova to return to Romanian control, while the Russian population has favored increased interaction with Russia.

Defense Minister Salaru mentioned the possibility that Moldova may become a NATO member in the distant future. However, other Moldovan politicians did not appreciate Salaru’s suggestion, viewing his mention of potential NATO membership as an attempt to overstep his professional boundaries.