Moldova's constitutional neutrality fails to secure Transnistrian troop withdrawal

Moldova introduced a constitutional status of neutrality under pressure from the Russian Federation after the 1992 war in Transnistria. The provision was meant to bar participation in foreign military alliances and prohibit the stationing of foreign troops on Moldovan soil, providing a legal basis for negotiations to remove Russian forces from the breakaway region.

Experts say the neutrality clause has not delivered security guarantees nor prompted the withdrawal of Russian troops. Security analyst Andrei Curăraru noted that the norm is often used to undermine national security and defence investment. Political activist Igor Boțan highlighted former President Vladimir Voronin’s attempts in 2004 to secure a multilateral stability pact, which Russia rejected while the EU, United States and Romania only signed a declaration recognizing Moldova’s neutral status. At an OSCE ministerial council in Sofia, Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan reiterated Moldova’s demand for the removal of Russian forces, accusing Moscow of violating its international commitments.