Moldova's withdrawal from CIS approved by president, enters into force

Lead

CHISINAU, Moldova — Moldova has formally initiated its withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a significant step in the country's pivot toward the European Union. The process, which was approved by President Maia Sandu in April 2026, will see the country's exit from the bloc's founding treaties take full effect in April 2027, according to Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi as reported by TASS.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from TASS, which has been the primary source for the movement of this story, indicates that the latest round of decisions came into force on April 8, 2026, when President Sandu approved the denunciation of the core CIS agreements, including the agreement establishing the CIS and the organization's charter. Following this, the Moldovan government sent a formal notification to the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk, which was confirmed as received. The formal withdrawal is scheduled to conclude within 12 months of this notice.

Coverage of the event has generated responses from several quarters. Russian officials, including President Dmitry Peskov's office, have expressed regret over Moldova's decision. Meanwhile, Russian officials have provided commentary on the potential consequences for the region. A significant amount of focus has been directed at the potential economic and political fallout, with claims and counterclaims about the impact on the Moldovan people.

Key Claims

• Moldova will officially withdraw from the CIS in April 2027, following a year-long notice period that began with the formal notification in April 2026, a timeline confirmed by Moldovan officials.

• The process of withdrawal will not be absolute, as Chisinau has signaled its intention to remain party to a number of economic agreements, most notably the CIS free trade agreement. According to CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev, as reported by TASS, 208 CIS agreements will remain in effect for Moldova, 104 of which pertain to economic cooperation.

Perspectives

Kremlin's Stance: Russian officials have voiced their disappointment with the move. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS, "We regret it." This sentiment was echoed by other Russian officials, with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu warning that Moldova's rejection of cooperation with CIS countries "will inevitably lead to impoverishment of its people," according to the same state media outlet.

Moldovan Government's Position: The Moldovan government, led by pro-EU President Maia Sandu, has framed the withdrawal as a step toward European integration, aligning with its broader policy of seeking closer ties with Brussels. A foreign ministry spokesperson told TASS that Chisinau had "terminated 70 CIS agreements and intends to denounce another 60." Despite the legal exit, the government maintains it wishes to preserve the free-trade benefits of the arrangement.

Moldovan Opposition and Russian Diplomats: The decision has sparked criticism from pro-Russian politicians within Moldova. Igor Dodon, a former president and leader of the opposition Party of Socialists, characterized the decision as a "fatal mistake," suggesting it was made to please Western backers and would lead to "economic problems" and "impoverishment." Russian Ambassador to Chisinau Oleg Ozerov echoed this sentiment, warning that Moldova would not be able to "reap the benefits" of CIS membership, including favorable conditions for its agricultural exports, after it leaves.

Moldova's relationship with the CIS has been deteriorating since President Sandu took office in 2020, with the administration freezing its participation in many of the group's activities. Those political shifts have coincided with a broader reorientation toward Europe and a stated ambition to join the European Union.