Liberal Party of Moldova Calls for Oleg Ozerov to Be Expelled
The Liberal Party of Moldova is demanding that newly appointed Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov be declared persona non grata. The party cites his public statements about alleged linguistic pressure on Russian-speaking residents in Transnistria as the reason. It has called on Moldova's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to revoke Ozerov's accreditation and deport him from the country.
Oleg Ozerov was appointed as Russia's new ambassador to Chișinău, succeeding Oleg Vasnetsov. Notably, on May 18, Ozerov was summoned to Moldova's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This followed a recent decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin simplifying the process for granting Russian citizenship to residents of Transnistria. Under this order, Transnistrian residents can obtain Russian passports without needing to reside in Russia or pass a Russian language test.
Liberal Party of Moldova's Response
The Liberal Party of Moldova described Ozerov's statements as provocative and disrespectful, emphasizing that his words represent an attempt at Kremlin pressure.
“Oleg Ozerov's statements, which characterize the study of Romanian—our state's official language—as linguistic pressure, are an act of intimidation and direct interference in our country's internal affairs,” the party's statement reads.It also stressed that Moldova is an independent nation, and its language and cultural policies are defined by its Constitution.
In his remarks, Ozerov claimed that Russian speakers in Transnistria face constant pressure from Moldovan authorities. 'They say the right words, but in reality, it's an attempt at dictation, especially regarding the Russian language. As one of the first steps in settlement, Russian people there are offered to study Romanian,' he stated. Ozerov also noted that learning languages is not inherently negative but insisted on protecting the political and socio-economic rights of Transnistria's residents.
The Liberal Party of Moldova believes the issue of studying the state language is being used to fuel ethnic discord and justify the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria. It has called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the problem, rejecting Kremlin narratives about the oppression of Russian speakers. Source: Glavcom citing Newsmaker.
The controversy surrounding Russia's new ambassador to Moldova highlights the strained relations between Chișinău and Moscow, which have intensified over issues of language policy and national identity. Oleg Ozerov's comments align with traditional Russian narratives about the suppression of Russian-speaking citizens, while the Moldovan side emphasizes its sovereignty and right to determine its linguistic framework. This could lead to further diplomatic disputes as Moldova seeks to maintain its independence and regional stability.
In light of the recent tensions, Moldova's Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously summoned the Russian ambassador due to a decree from President Putin regarding passport issuance for Transnistrian residents. This decree has sparked significant controversy and is seen as part of a broader strategy to exert influence in the region. For more details on this diplomatic incident, you can read about it here.