Despite president Dodon’s ban Moldovan military will take part in exercises in Ukraine
A contingent of 57 servicemen of the National Army of Moldova is participating in the NATO Rapid Trident 2017 military exercise, which will be held at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Yavoriv, Lviv region, from September 7th to 23rd, as reported by the Ministry of Defense of Moldova.
According to the commander of the Moldovan contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Markutsi, the goal of the exercises is to improve the level of coordination between troops, strengthen the defensive capacity, and promote the image of the National Army of Moldova in the international arena for further participation in peacekeeping missions.
The Moldovan contingent consists of soldiers from the 22nd peacekeeping battalion and the Moldova-1 brigade.
The NATO Rapid Trident 2017 military exercise will be attended by 1,800 soldiers from 14 countries, including Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Italy, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Great Britain, and the United States.
Previously it was reported that the pro-Russian President of Moldova, Igor Dodon, twice prohibited the Moldovan military to participate in the Rapid Trident exercises. The Moldovan leader accused the government of violating the law on State Security.
The Moldovan government, however, decided to seek the participation of the Moldovan military in the Rapid Trident exercise, stressing that due to non-participation the country incurs losses, and the state of the army leaves much to be desired.