Moldova leaves the Commonwealth of Independent States. "It is an act of liberation"

The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova voted to denounce the agreement on the establishment and status of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), signaling a formal break from one of the last cooperation structures in the post-Soviet space. This decision comes in the context in which Chișinău has gradually reduced its participation in the CIS, citing the need to respect territorial integrity. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi, stated that leaving the CIS represents a liberation from a toxic past and a reaffirmation of Moldova's sovereignty. Through this vote, Chișinău denounces two key documents, thus strengthening the strategic direction towards European integration.

Moldovan authorities argued that membership in the CIS no longer brings real benefits and that most mechanisms have been replaced by bilateral cooperation or agreements with the European Union. The CIS, created in 1991, was meant to facilitate the post-Soviet transition, but its effectiveness has been criticized over time. After signing the Association Agreement with the EU in 2014 and in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moldova accelerated the process of withdrawal from the CIS, denouncing dozens of treaties deemed incompatible with European commitments. The authorities in Chișinău emphasized that bilateral relations with states in the region will continue, but outside the framework of the CIS. Russia's reaction was swift, with the spokesperson for Russian diplomacy stating that Moldova's decisions cannot be unilateral.