The Republic of Moldova plans to give up exports to Russia and Belarus “in order to please Brussels”, writes the pro-Kremlin media, misquoting a statement by the Minister of Agriculture in Chișinău.
NEWS: The head of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Moldova, Eugeniu Osmochescu, spoke out in favor of a complete halt to product deliveries to Russia and Belarus. At the same time, he recognized that this measure, taken out of a desire to please Brussels, will generate losses for domestic producers.
“We must take into account that we have exporters to these two markets, more in Belarus than in Russia, and they will suffer as a result of an immediate ban. Therefore, we must develop a program to support them, to help them enter the European Union market. This way, however, Moldova will demonstrate its commitment to international sanctions against the two countries”, Osmochescu said.
NARRATIVES: 1. The Republic of Moldova plans to give up exports to Russia and Belarus at Brussels' insistence. 2. Moldovan authorities are willing to accept economic losses to satisfy EU demands.
PURPOSE: To present the Republic of Moldova's EU rapprochement as a process imposed by Brussels, which would force Chișinău to abandon traditional markets in Russia and Belarus. To instill the idea that European integration comes at the expense of Moldovan producers and exporters. To feed the perception that Moldovan authorities are willing to accept economic losses to satisfy EU demands.
The pro-Kremlin media operates like Radio Yerevan: the minister was not talking about a government decision, but expressed an opinion, and was not referring to exports, but to imports
WHY THE NARRATIVES ARE FALSE: Eugeniu Osmochescu did not say that he favors giving up the sales markets of Russia and Belarus. This is a misinterpretation taken out of context from a comment made by the Minister of Agriculture during a show on TVR Moldova. In fact, he was referring to imports from the two states, mentioning that, in his opinion, the Republic of Moldova should align itself with international sanctions. However, Osmochescu drew attention to the fact that such a decision would affect exporters and spoke about the need to support them so they can enter the EU market.
“With regard to products originating from the Russian Federation and Belarus, we must align with international sanctions. This is my personal opinion and will remain so. But we must also take into account that we have exporters to these markets. We must create a program to support these producers to penetrate the EU market. And I am firmly confident that the EU is open to supporting the Republic of Moldova in terms of developing new state aid programs”, Osmochescu said.
Furthermore, it should be noted that international sanctions against Russia do not target agri-food products. The European Commission's briefing note on sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine clearly states that “none of the measures adopted by the EU target in any way the trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizers, between third countries and Russia”. The largest share of the Republic of Moldova's exports to these two states consists precisely of products in this category. Therefore, the claim that the authorities in Chișinău intend to block these exports at the request of Brussels is also groundless.
BACKGROUND: Agriculture is a sensitive topic in the Republic of Moldova, where the sector accounts for a higher share of employment than in many other European states. One of the widespread narratives is that EU rapprochement could lead to the destruction of the agricultural sector, including through the loss of the Russian and CIS markets. In fact, the Republic of Moldova began exporting less to Russia due to trade restrictions imposed by the latter, which also had a political component, such as the wine embargo in 2006 and the restrictions on agricultural products introduced in 2013–2014. Veridica has previously debunked similar false narratives.
Trade relations with Russia and CIS countries represent another topic exploited in false narratives and disinformation promoted by Russian propaganda and pro-Russian politicians in Chișinău, exaggerating their importance for the Republic of Moldova's foreign trade. In fact, the share of Moldovan exports to the CIS and Russia has decreased almost constantly over the years. According to the latest statistics, exports to CIS countries accounted for 6.5% of the total, and those to Russia made up 3%, while 65% of Moldovan exports were directed toward the EU market.
