© Sputnik / Vitaly Ankov
Moldova's police chief has branded the St. George's ribbon, a hallmark of Victory Day celebrations in Russia, a "symbol of aggression"Moldovan authorities have explicitly warned citizens against wearing St. George's ribbon during the upcoming WWII Victory Day celebrations. The orange and black strip of material, a popular commemoration symbol in Russia and most other former Soviet republics, has been deemed a "symbol of aggression" by Moldova's police chief.
Referring to the St. George's ribbon, Viorel Cernauteanu, the head of the General Police Inspectorate, told a news briefing on Monday that
"Selling, storing, producing and wearing a two-color ribbon, which is a symbol of aggression is currently banned," adding "We all must abide by the rules."
The former Soviet republic officially banned the ribbon in April 2022 under a special law that also introduced fines of up to 9,000 lei ($508.5) for individuals and up to 30,000 lei ($1,695) for businesses found in violation of the prohibition.
The move came shortly after the beginning of Moscow's military operation against Kiev. The Moldovan parliament linked the ribbon to promoting what it called "Russian aggression."
In 2023, the nation's Constitutional Court ruled that it first must be established that the symbols in question were used for the purpose of justifying or glorifying "the actions of military aggression" before a person can be fined. Some members of the public treated the ruling as a lifting of the ban, prompting the judicial body to clarify that the prohibition itself was still in place.
Moldova is a former Soviet republic of 2.6 million that is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania. It has charted an increasingly pro-EU course since President Maia Sandu came to power in 2020. In December 2022, she called for a probe into a concert that featured children singing Soviet songs from World War II, calling it a "threat to national security."
Chisinau has not been alone in introducing restrictions on WWII celebrations in light of the Ukraine conflict. In 2023, Estonia warned citizens against displaying Russian or Soviet flags or symbols, or playing "aggressive music." The nation's police said they were not going to "engage in any dialogue with anyone" found in breach of the rules. Violators were to be fined up to €1,200 ($1,345) or even face prison time.
Comment: Transnistria appeals to Russia for 'protection', reviving fears for Moldova breakaway region
Moldova & 'foreign specialists' training militants for terrorist attacks in Transnistria - State Security Ministry
Moldova: EU-aspirant's president to punish opposition-controlled citiesMoldova borders Romania and
according to the Wiki a vote in parliament in 2023 changed the official language from Moldovan to Romanian.
Given the ambitions of the current government in Moldova to become a part of the EU, and the close proximity to Romania, the measure about prohibiting St George ribbons could be a step in the "European integration". Besides, if Moldova joins Romania it "would not look good" if some newly minted Romanians would have yearly yearning wearing Saint George ribbons, considering the history of
Romania in World War II:
On 22 June 1941, German armies with a massive Romanian support attacked the Soviet Union. German and Romanian units conquered Bessarabia, Odessa, and Sevastopol, then marched eastward across the Russian steppes toward Stalingrad. Romania welcomed the war because it allowed them to retake lands annexed by the Soviet Union a year prior. Hitler rewarded Romania's loyalty by returning Bessarabia and northern Bukovina and by allowing Romania to administer Soviet lands immediately between the Dniester and the Bug, including Odessa and Nikolaev.[11] Romanian jingoes in Odessa even distributed a geography showing that the Dacians had inhabited most of southern Russia.[1][12] After recovering Bessarabia and Bukovina (Operation München), Romanian units fought side by side with the Germans onward to Odessa, Sevastopol, Stalingrad and the Caucasus. The total number of troops involved on the Eastern Front with the Romanian Third Army and the Romanian Fourth Army was second only to that of Nazi Germany itself. The Romanian Army had a total of 686,258 men under arms in the summer of 1941 and a total of 1,224,691 men in the summer of 1944.[13]The number of Romanian troops sent to fight in the Soviet Union exceeded that of all of Germany's other allies combined.
It is more than just history; traditions are upheld:
NATO begins building its largest European base, near Black Sea in Romania (18 March 2024)
Never mind:
Protests erupt in Romania's capital against NATO troops in the country, financing of Kiev or
Best of the Web:
'Today western values mean three things: Migration, LGBTQ and war' - Orbán's speech in Romania, and the collapse of the West
Comment:
Transnistria appeals to Russia for 'protection', reviving fears for Moldova breakaway region
Moldova & 'foreign specialists' training militants for terrorist attacks in Transnistria - State Security Ministry
Moldova: EU-aspirant's president to punish opposition-controlled cities
Moldova borders Romania and according to the Wiki a vote in parliament in 2023 changed the official language from Moldovan to Romanian.
Given the ambitions of the current government in Moldova to become a part of the EU, and the close proximity to Romania, the measure about prohibiting St George ribbons could be a step in the "European integration". Besides, if Moldova joins Romania it "would not look good" if some newly minted Romanians would have yearly yearning wearing Saint George ribbons, considering the history of Romania in World War II: It is more than just history; traditions are upheld:
NATO begins building its largest European base, near Black Sea in Romania (18 March 2024)
Never mind:
Protests erupt in Romania's capital against NATO troops in the country, financing of Kiev or
Best of the Web: 'Today western values mean three things: Migration, LGBTQ and war' - Orbán's speech in Romania, and the collapse of the West