VIDEO | “Some are ready to unite just so we don’t get overwhelmed by Russia.” Ion Tăbârță explains why unionism is growing in the Republic of Moldova and warns that Moscow is trying to use it against European integration

Support for the Union of the Republic of Moldova with Romania is no longer fueled exclusively by historical and identity arguments, but increasingly by economic and security considerations, especially after the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Analyst Ion Tăbârță states that the unionist segment has diversified considerably, today including citizens who see Romania as a model of development, but also people who consider the union a solution for protection against possible Russian aggression. In an interview with journalist Valentina Ursu, the analyst argues that unionism and European integration are two complementary options, but warns that the Russian Federation is trying to exploit the discourse of some nationalist movements in Romania to compromise the European path of the Republic of Moldova.

Valentina Ursu, journalist: "How do you comment, however, on these two scenarios? The first, the European integration of the Republic of Moldova, which must culminate in accession to the EU, and the second scenario, union with Romania?"

Ion Tabarta: "If we look at the unionist scenario or the profile of unionism, we see certain changes. Yes, unionists are growing in weight, 40%, 45%, but that does not mean that the unionist segment is monolithic. Rather, it differs in composition. If initially the first unionists, the 10-15%, were romantic, ideological unionists, later unionists appeared, after 2005 onwards, maybe even after 2009, when Romania entered the European Union, it was successful, justice reform was being carried out, in our case, on the contrary, a captive state and so on. The unionist segment began to expand, they began to see in Romania an alternative, a state where they could have a different welfare", Tabarta declared.

The analyst explains that the war in Ukraine has added new motivation for supporters of the union.

"And unionists appeared, let's call them, with a socio-economic profile. Now, in the conditions of the war in Ukraine, when we have a lot of problems related to security, dangers and so on, unionists with a geopolitical profile appeared, we can even call them. Because just so that we don't end up being overrun by Russia, they are ready to unite. That doesn't mean that those who are ideological couldn't also be geopolitical unionists or unionists with a socio-economic profile", he added.

Tăbârță believes that the two orientations, unionist and pro-European, should not be seen as being in opposition.

"And by the way, in the geopolitical context, in the security context, Maia Sandu was talking about a scenario of union, which was later formulated by Eugen Tomac as a kind of plan B. But, in the end, the unionists and the pro-European segment are complementary", Tăbârță also stated.

The analyst claims that although the idea of ​​union enjoys support in Romania, the discourse of some nationalist movements can be used by Moscow against Chisinau's European objectives.

"We have always had a majority in Romania. Although there we must admit that it does not cause the same inflammation as it does here, it is just that there this subject is more tempered, more moderate. But now we see how unionism is being used by the Russian Federation to strike at the European path of our state through the unionists in Romania", the expert emphasized.

In his opinion, there is an important difference between the political orientations associated with nationalism on the two banks of the Prut.

"If we look at unionism or nationalism here, in the Republic of Moldova and in Romania, our nationalism is pro-European. In Romania, on the contrary, it is anti-European. And this nationalism, under the slogans of union, the Russian Federation is trying to use in order to strike at the European path of our state in this way.", concluded Ion Tăbârță.