CHISINAU. April 27 (Interfax) - Moldova is not raising the issue of forgoing its neutrality, but will strengthen its defense capability, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.
She said in an interview with the JurnalTV television channel on Wednesday evening, answering a question about Moldova's renouncing neutrality and possibly joining NATO, that "polls found that there is a slight increase of those who stand for accession to NATO."
"But the majority of the population stands for neutrality," the president said.
Sandu refrained from answering the TV host's direct question about how she would vote in a referendum on Moldova's renunciation of its neutrality and accession to NATO.
"I am a realist, and the situation is the way we know it. Neither you, nor I can change the constitution. We do what we must and can do to ensure that citizens are safe. We're talking about Moldova's extreme vulnerability in the current situation," she said.
During the Munich Security Conference, Sandu asked Western partners for assistance in purchasing air defense systems.
"Moldova must strengthen its defense capacity. Projects demanding an urgent approach are a priority now. And the biggest problem for us now is the need for an air defense system. Not just Moldova, but the entire region needs it. And we're asking our NATO partners to consider this kind of assistance, which we urgently need," Sandu said during a discussion.
Last year, the National Army of Moldova received assistance worth 47 million euros via the European Peace Facility. The European Union promised to provide hardware worth the same amount this year. In addition, Moldova's development partners promised to provide it with an air defense system.