We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: UKR 1YR RUSSIA MOLDOVA ECONOMY **FOR MONDAY***
HEADLINE: Moldova Endures Russia’s Wrath for Supporting Kyiv
TEASER: Moscow is strangling Moldova economically. Observers say it’s punishment for helping Ukraine.
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Ricardo Marquina
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Chisinau
VIDEOGRAPHER: Ricardo Marquina
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR'S NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[The economy of the small republic of Moldova is paying dearly for having positioned itself in favor of Ukraine. Dependent on Russian energy to survive, the country faces the highest inflation in Europe due to what some observers are calling Russian energy blackmail. Amy Katz narrates this report by Ricardo Marquina in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.]]
((VIDEO: Chisinau, people, national flags, industrial zones, wood-burning fireplaces. ORIGINAL VOA))
((NARRATOR))
The Republic of Moldova is going through one of the toughest economic moments in its short history as an independent country. Its Ukrainian neighbor is under Russian military attack, but Moldova is under economic attack.
Moscow has punished the country's pro-Western government with a drastic increase in energy tariffs. The result: an inflation rate that exceeds 30% and a country on the brink of ruin.
The Moldovan authorities accuse the Kremlin of interfering in the politics of this country by targeting its economy.
[[RADIO VERSION: Dumitru Alaiba, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, spoke with VOA.]]
((Dumitru Alaiba, Minister of Economy - MAN, IN ENGLISH - ORIGINAL VOA))
“In the last 20 years I counted about six embargoes that Russia has imposed on different products like wine, fruits, vegetables and so on and so on. And this all the time happened when Moldovan government would make a decision that is considered to be in the national interest, then what they do is punish the people in the economy.”
((VIDEO: Border with Ukraine, Purcari Wineries - ORIGINAL VOA))
((NARRATOR))
In Moldova’s vineyards, they call this Russian blackmail. After years of embargoes and pressure, this company decided to stop selling wine to Russia. Moscow was their main client. Now they don't sell a single bottle to the Russians.
[[RADIO VERSION: Eugen Comendant is Chief Operating Officer at Purcari, a leading Moldovan wine producer.]]
((Eugen Comendant, Purcari Winery - MAN, IN ENGLISH - ORIGINAL VOA))
“Russia has proven itself over the years as not being the most reliable trading partner because, for example, for the wine industry, the first impact happened in 2006 when Russia has been imposing embargo on Moldova wines. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice-shame on me!”
((VIDEO: Rural area, field workers. ORIGINAL VOA))
((NARRATOR))
But a year after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the working people of Moldova have taken the hardest economic hit, unable to bear the rising cost of heating and energy.
In the agricultural and chronically impoverished, autonomous southern region of Gagauzia, the situation has led most of the population to request subsidies to pay their electricity bills. Authorities say the situation is unsustainable.
[[RADIO VERSION: Alexander Ternovskiy is a member of Gagauzia’s national assembly.]]
((Alexander Ternovskiy, Gagauzia National Assembly Member - MAN, IN RUSSIAN - ORIGINAL VOA))
“Food products have become even more expensive. That is why when a family spends nearly half of its income on heating - and pretty much the same on food - then there is an issue to raise about how such families can physically survive. Officially, four fifths of the population find themselves below the poverty line.”
((VIDEO: Chisinau, people ORIGINAL VOA))
((NARRATOR))
Experts say the country should diversify its energy sources and free itself from Moscow's political manipulation.
[[RADIO VERSION: Veaceslav Ionita is an economist at the IDIS institute, a Moldavan research and advocacy organization.]]
((Veaceslav Ionita, Economic Expert at IDIS Institute - MAN, IN RUSSIAN - ORIGINAL VOA))
“Moldova is one of the smaller countries in Europe. It is difficult to find another such a country, where we import all energy resources. We depend 100% on Russian gas.”
((VIDEO: Chisinau, people, dusk, chimneys. ORIGINAL VOA))
((NARRATOR))
One year after the start of Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine, Moldova has suffered severe collateral damage from the war.
Artillery battles may be far away, but in Russia's hybrid war against its neighbors in Europe, Moldova is on the front line.
((For Ricardo Marquina in Chisinau, Moldova, Amy Katz, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 27, 2023 04:07 EST
BylineRicardo Marquina
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
