Moldovans’ protest in front of the Russian Embassy splits into two sides
Hundreds of people split into two distinct groups rallied in front of the Russian Embassy in Moldova’s capital of Chisinau today. Some came to commemorate the day when the Soviet Union occupied Bessarabia consisting of today's Republic of Moldova, Northern Bucovina (today part of Ukraine) and Southern Bessarabia, Izmail town (also in Ukraine today).
The first group of protesters chanted and waved unionist messages as well as messages against the Russian troops from the ground of Moldova (the separatist region of Transnistria).
72 years ago former Soviet Union annexed Bessarabia. The treaty was carried out under the provisions of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, and was eventually consented to by both the predecessor state, Romania and the international community, in the form of the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty.
“Today is the day when injustice was made for Bessarabia. We have been broken apart from our motherland. Although our peoples were imposed other customs, another language, we have not forgotten – we are Romanians. We rally because Russia was the one who brought this injustice,” a protester said.
On the other side of the street in front of the Embassy the other group of protesters, mainly members of the Russian Teenage League came to thank Russia.
“We have gathered here today to say ‘thank you’ Russia for liberating our territory from fascist Germans and occupant Romanians,” a member of the Russian League said. They say Russia did not occupy Bessarabia, but it liberated Bessarabia.
According to the specialized books, Bessarabia was annexed by the Soviet Union based on the secret Pact between Ribbentrop and Molotov. The Secret Additional Protocol of Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact implied three articles. Article 3 referred frankly to Bessarabia. It stated the Soviet Union's interest in annexing Bessarabia from Romania and Nazi Germany's consent to that annexation. Subsequent separate agreements ensured the protection and orderly evacuation of the German ethnic population from the province.
The incorporation of Bessarabia into the USSR was carried out through hasty military occupation, amidst episodes of unruly behavior and violence, during the week of 28 June-3 July 1940. The Soviet Law of 2 August 1940 officially established the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic on most of Bessarabia's territory and made it a component of the USSR.
The former Soviet Republic gained its independence from the USSR on August 27, 1991. Since then it is called the Republic of Moldova.
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