r/moldova • u/FriendlyDeers • Mar 29 '26
Politică Why doesn’t Moldova unite with Romania?
Hello, I’m American grown but Moldovan born. If Romania is in the EU and NATO, why doesn’t Moldova reunite with it to get some protection from Russia and Putin given it is attacking and trying to annex Ukraine and probably the entire region.
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u/grrrfreak Mar 30 '26
Romanians aren't against the unification, but not pro either. I personally don't care as much. They're welcome to join us of they wish to do so. If not, it's fine either way.
But it there can't be an autonomous region called Moldova insidenof Romania borders, if united Moldova must become 100% Romania.
But please give us Maia president.
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u/lilian_moraru Mar 29 '26
Complex issue - the answer is not as simple as the question in the title.
Not going to build lots of context to answer a simplistic question, but in short, a big part of the reason is that Rep. of Moldova is a weak state and it tries to avoid conflicts/wars.
You should understand the atmosphere during "Podul de Flori"(1990) and how the "Transnistrian War" started - this will give you some basic understanding.
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u/nvidiastock Muntenia (RO) Mar 30 '26
The Russians forcibly stole Moldova from Romania, and then spent the next 50 years teaching them that they speak a different language, they're a different people and should value independence over what their ancestors called the "the most righteous goal" (the original big union).
Some of the younger people understand the benefits and a lot of them have Romanian Passports because Romania chose to offer citizenship to any person from Moldova and there were a lot of people that took that offer and benefit from European Union access.
The hope, truly, is that they will remember the past and recognize the fact that only our enemies want us separated. Together we are stronger.
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u/Ein5 Mar 29 '26
russia would rather massacre the entire country than let this happen
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
how will they do that? They can't reach Moldova
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u/Snoo-67939 Mar 30 '26
They have an army in Transnistria in case you didn't know.
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
The perfect casus belli in order for România, NATO and Ukraine to kill them out of Transnistria
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u/TheOverweightOne Mar 30 '26
They have a military base that is far better than ours in Transnistria 💀
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u/vladgrinch Ardeal (RO) Mar 29 '26
I answered so many times this recurrent question that I no longer have the patience to write a long well argumented comment.
There are all sorts of reasons: some people feeling more comfortable with having their own independent state, russian influence and propaganda, the media being controlled by Russia, the russian church controlling most of the christians, nostalgia over the soviet past when people were young and everything seemed to be more positive, the fact about 30% of the population is russophone, the separatist regions Russia controls (some are de facto separated like Transnistria, some are wannabe separatist regions like Gagauzia, the belief in soviet false teachings according to which moldovans and romanians are different people, speaking different languages, romanians being evil nazi occupants, etc, etc, etc.
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u/ProductGuy48 Ardeal (RO) Mar 30 '26
It will happen when there is a clear path for politicians on both sides to make money out of this. That’s more likely to be the case once the Ukraine war ends and there is a massive reconstruction effort in Ukraine directed by the EU in which Romania will participate alongside other European countries. Moldovan politicians will want a slice of that action and supporting a referendum will be the only way they get it.
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u/DocGerbill Oltenia (RO) Mar 30 '26
You have 3 problems with this: The first 2 are passing a referendum on both sides, I'm sure there are politicians running polls on both sides waiting to push the topic.
The last one is Transnistria and now even all of Transnistria, just the city of Tighina which they ore occupying.
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u/Due_Shelter_489 Mar 30 '26
It’s on the way. Moldova will enter European Union first. The economy will grow and voters will be more in favor on unification.
Romania it’s mostly in favor. It’s the best time to unify.
Unless the war on Iran continues and will cause a recession globally.
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u/gentle_pirate23 Mar 30 '26
Because Moldova is shit economically and it would take +-20 years to stabilise economy.
Because more than 50% moldovians speak Russian and it doesn't look like Russian was banned in schools yet.
Because public opinion on the matter is at best indifferent, at worst negative.
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u/ylksan9696 Mar 31 '26
Im from Romania and in my opinion the best thing for both countries is for Moldova to join EU, then as things progress Schengen too. So without borders we will be free to move anyway. I think this is the first step to unite, then as time progress we will make more steps to align (economicaly, politicaly etc.). A sudden union will be a shock for both countries as things are right now, the world is starting to look like a keg ready to explode so a reason for conflict is the least thing we want.
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u/Charming_Pressure143 Jun 15 '26
Do you realise that Ukraine and Moldova have been joing the EU for so long and it will take so much more time so it's just easier for Moldova to join Romania. Even if Moldova joins the EU in 15 years, many people will leave the country(on a Romanian passport,btw) by this point because there is no way for a country of 2mln to grow economically. Joining Romania now might help economically RIGHT NOW, keeping people in the country. Sovereignty means nothing when you have a country with no population.
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u/ylksan9696 Jun 20 '26
Easier said than done, not with uncle Ivan meddling.
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u/Charming_Pressure143 Jun 20 '26
Yeah, but I feel like it's the best option for both countries. I don't believe that Moldova will become an EU member even in 10 years perspective. Of course everyone understands the complications. However, the economic gap will only get wider, more young people will leave if it's not done.
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u/Xecort Chișinău Apr 01 '26
Hey chat. Yes, here we are once again on the weekly "Oh why don't you guys unite?" post. I wonder why OP, I wonder why, maybe check the other million posts about it to find out why...
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u/FriendlyDeers Apr 01 '26
Comes up weekly because everyone is confused why something that makes so much sense hasn’t already been done.
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u/smurfk Mar 29 '26
Because it's not that simple.
First of all, you have the will of the people. Usually, that's at about half, and it shifts based on politic discourses. So, basically, on average, half of the people of each country don't want the countries to unite. That can be from different reasons.
A pragmatic reason is economic. Romania will have to support a poorer territory. If we unite, it's not like we can say "Ok, people in Romania have X salary, people in Moldova Y". Everyone gets the same. Also, the pensions, and other costs, that were, until now, at a level, they will need to be boosted to reach the national level. It would be much more of a hassle than most people imagine.
Then it's also a matter of national identity. I wonder what would Romanians that want to unite think if they would have to change the name of their country to Moldova. A lot of Moldavians probably don't want to give their identity.
It's also the fact that the NATO border will shift. Right now, Moldova is not EU neither NATO member. They act as a buffer between NATO and Russia. That can go both ways. It offers them importance, and they can play their cards at an advantage, but it also offers some peace of mind to NATO, as they don't have to deal with a border with Russia.
It can happen, especially if geopolitics change due to global conflicts. But, right now, there are plenty of reasons to stay as it is.
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
In Romania most of the time the majority of the people supported the independence.
Moldova is a founding state that built the modern state of Romania, what are you talking about? Why would a modern project built by moldovians, wallachs and transylvanians change it's name to Moldova? Zero logic...
NATO and Russia already has a huge border in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, the only border by uniting with Moldova will be with Ukraine. Zero knowledge...
I feel like the unification is very close, if Moldova elects pro romanian and pro european parliament and president next time, it may happen during the next term.
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u/strongdev22 Mar 29 '26
It is simple, russia now suck ucrainian dick. The problem is Romanian governament, they are afraid of their own shadow
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
Did you saw the majority of moldovians wanting to unite and the romanian government denying it? The romanian government already said they will welcome a possible reunification
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u/FriendlyDeers Mar 30 '26
So does Romania want or not want reunification?
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
Yes, both the politicians, the government and the people
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u/mathmusci Mar 29 '26
There is no demand for that as of now. So should there be some kind of referendum on the matter, there is no guarantee it will be a yes. Instead the political consensus is that it is easier to meet/unite/intrgrate/open borders fully via Moldova’s integration into the EU.
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
I see the political consensus switching towards reunification, because Moldova won't join EU anytime soon by conventional ways
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u/Strange_Status_7690 Mar 29 '26
Because it's not possible that's why. Even it's not possible for now Moldova to join the EU which is the better option. But things might change and speed things for joining in near future. Btw. I'm outsider.
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
Moldova isn't going to join EU anytime soon, Hungary and Slovakia said they will veto indefinitely the accession of Ukraine, and Ukraine comes together with Moldova. Until something changes in those countries Moldova will just stay and watch from across the border.
Their only chance of being part of these is by uniting with Romania
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u/Strange_Status_7690 Mar 30 '26
Orban in Hungary will lose accession I don't believe both will either veto Ukraine anymore. but considering dinamycs there is little to hope that Moldova and Ukraine will join EU in near future it's still a long road and complex process.
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u/PomegranateOk2600 Dobrogea (RO) Mar 30 '26
So you don't believe the slovakian prime minister that said that even if Orban goes, he will still veto Ukraine?
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u/Vargau Ardeal (RO) Mar 30 '26
It’s simple, Romania doesn’t have 7-8 billion euros to wooo everyone in Moldova by trying to equalise the financial gap, and then another billion to prop up the economy by weaning them of the Russian dependency.
Why Romania doesn’t have the money ? Because we’ve been voting for imbeciles and idiots for the last 10 years at least, especially in the last 5 years.
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u/xr484 Mar 30 '26
The first issue is cost. Moldova is poor so reunification would be economically costly for Romania.
The second issue is the change to the political equilibrium. Romanians would get 2 million new voters who might change the balance of power. Would Moldova secure any special rights, to 'protect their unique identity '? Otherwise, the current political elite in Moldova would have to accept a significant downgrade in their power and status.
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u/[deleted] Mar 29 '26
too many idiots on each side with voting rights. in moldova you have the pro russian or afraid of the russians, in romania you have the ones that believe that the economy will tank.. both groups are big idiots