Moldova: Thousands of people demonstrated in Chisinau in support of the government

Chisinau (Reuters) – Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Moldova’s capital Chisinau to support a pro-Western government that wants to move closer to Europe, while officials accuse Moscow of seeking to destabilize the country.

Moldova has been badly hit by Moscow’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine, which Chisinau has repeatedly condemned, as the country seeks to join the European Union.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of trying to sabotage the country’s European integration by encouraging anti-government protests and propaganda. Moscow denies any interference in Moldova’s affairs.

“Moldova does not want to be blackmailed by the Kremlin,” Maia Sandu said at a rally organized by her government.

Police said that more than 75,000 protesters participated.

“We no longer want to live on the periphery of Europe,” said the Moldovan president, promising that Moldova would become a member of the European Union by 2030.

(Reporting by Alexandre Tanas and Doreen Scobiola, French edition Mathieu Protard)