Moldovan army left without U.S. funding

Former defense minister of Moldova, leader of Party of National Unity Anatol Salaru says Western partners of Moldova, namely U.S., halted financing of the National Moldovan Army under Foreign Military Financing program. As a result, Chisinau will not receive $12.7 million for improvement of defense system, army reform and modernization.

Salaru blames President Igor Dodon for the halted funding due to his stance “against national defense system.”

“The president opposed participation of Moldovan officers in regional military exercises, which resulted in suspension of the above financing for the National Army by U.S.,” the politician explains.

“Moldovan military could participate in regional exercises without preliminary consent of Igor Dodon, considering that the ongoing program of military exercises was approved by me and president Nicolae Timofti yet in late 2016. It was done not to let Dodon block participation of the Republic of Moldova in these exercises,” he said.

Salaru said he is going to sue the president for his actions.

Despite all this, U.S. still renders financial aid to Moldova for construction of military facilities, specifically, eight new special facilities at the military base in Bulboaca village. According to the partners, the facilities will be used to train Moldovan peacekeepers.

Moldovan journalists say the military demanded the developer company “design and construction of facilities to work out military operations in urban area at the training base Bulboaca.” The facilities will include office, hotel, residential building, maintenance stations, school, trading center and others.

Meantime, President Igor Dodon calls it a provocation by the government. “Construction of military facilities must be coordinated with the president, who is the supreme commander too. The issue has not been agreed upon. We will tackle it,” the president said.