The US suspended its military assistance to Moldova
The United States has temporarily suspended the provision of military technology and equipment to Moldova due to the lack of participation by Moldovan servicemen in international exercises, as stated by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the United States in Chişinău, James Pettit, during a visit to the military training base in Bulboaca, Ukrinform reports.
"We are not talking about halting financial assistance from the US. We are pausing the provision of equipment for the modernization of the army. Unfortunately, as far as I know, this year the National Army did not take part in international exercises. We are in constant dialogue with the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, and I hope that in the future Moldovan servicemen will take part in these exercises", the diplomat said.
At the same time, Pettit stressed that "participation in international exercises is an integral part of the improvement of the combat skills of the National Army of Moldova".
Earlier, Moldovan President Igor Dodon prohibited the National Army from participating in international military exercises outside of the country. The former Defense Minister of Moldova, Anatol Şalaru, said that "because of the position of the President, the US has stopped financing projects to modernize the National Army".
With the financial assistance of the United States, the infrastructure of the military training base in Bulboaca is being modernized and Moldovan peacekeepers are being trained to participate in peacekeeping operations around the world.