Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine condemns any attempts to involve Russia in resolving Moldova's internal political issues and will stand side by side with Moldova to prevent Russian interference in the country's internal affairs.
He said this at a joint press conference with Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.
"We fully support the integrity of Moldova and condemn any attempts to involve Russia in resolving Moldova's internal political issues," Kuleba said.
In his opinion, all the political games that the Kremlin is trying to play in the Dniester region and Gagauzia are doomed to failure, but they "take a lot of energy and create additional risks".
"Here we will stand firmly side by side to prevent this external interference of Russia in the internal affairs (of Moldova - ed.)," the head of Ukrainian diplomacy said.
He added that he and Popsoi discussed the security situation in the region and in Ukraine, as well as joint steps with partners to restore peace and security.
"I would like to publicly assure my colleague and all Moldovan citizens that Ukraine will continue to firmly defend not only its freedom and independence, but also the peace of Moldova. Ukraine is interested in a strong democratic, pro-European Moldova, and Moldova is interested in the same Ukraine. Together we can help each other," the minister said.
On 28 February, the self-proclaimed Dniester region appealed to Russia for "protection".
This decision was made by local "deputies" of the breakaway region at a congress on 28 February. At the same time, the "deputies" did not request accession to the Russian Federation, as some politicians expected.