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The government in Chișinău will introduce visas for Russian and Belarusian citizens, without yet announcing the date when the measure will take effect

Cristina Petrache

6 November 2026, 13:29

Republic of Moldova

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The Republic of Moldova will introduce a visa regime for citizens of Russia and Belarus as part of aligning its national policy with European Union standards. Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Țofan said the exact date when the measure will take effect has not yet been set.

The head of government in Chișinău said that the Republic of Moldova is continuing on its European path and will adopt the necessary decisions to advance the integration process. According to him, compliance with European regulations will also require ending the visa-free regime for citizens of certain states that currently benefit from visa-free access to the Republic of Moldova.

A report by the European Commission shows that the Moldovan authorities still need to align their visa regime for 11 countries. In addition to Russia and Belarus, the list includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vanuatu.

The decision was announced amid extremely tense relations between Chișinău and Moscow. The Republic of Moldova’s rapprochement with the EU, the war in Ukraine, drone-related incidents, the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria, and accusations concerning hybrid warfare and disinformation campaigns have intensified the diplomatic crises between the two states.

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Context: Moldova had previously escalated its responses to Russian activities, including expulsions and warnings regarding drones

Before the announcement regarding the visa regime, Chișinău reacted on several occasions to incidents attributed to Moscow. President Maia Sandu stated at a security forum that Russia was trying to turn the Republic of Moldova into a “second Belarus,” mentioning, among other things, violations of airspace and attacks on infrastructure, while Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said that, although he did not see an immediate military incursion, Moscow was testing NATO states through drone overflights.

Also amid the tensions, Moldovan authorities declared an employee of the Russian Embassy persona non grata after a drone loaded with Russian-made “Geran” explosives crashed near homes in Telenești District, while Russia rejected the accusations and warned that the decision would not go unanswered.

In parallel, Chișinău also announced control measures targeting the separatist leader in Tiraspol, Vadim Krasnoselski, after he was reportedly decorated in Moscow, indicating a firm approach in relations with the actors involved in the conflict in the region.