The agreement between the governments of Moldova and the Russian Federation was signed in Moscow on October 30, 1998. Its purpose was to establish and operate cultural centers on the territories of both countries on the principles of reciprocity, as well as to develop cultural, humanitarian, scientific, technical and informational ties. According to the Moldovan authorities, it has lost its former purpose due to the “current geopolitical situation”. The Russian Center of Science and Culture in Chisinau opened in Chisinau in February 2009.
The accompanying note to the draft law on denunciation notes: “In the context of the current geopolitical situation and the high risk of disinformation, this Agreement can be used as a tool to promote distorted narratives by the Russian Federation. Since the Republic of Moldova does not have a cultural center on the territory of the Russian Federation, there is no fair mechanism to promote information about our country, which undermines the balance and the original purpose of the Agreement”.
The denunciation initiative came from the Moldovan Ministry of Culture at the request of the Moldovan Foreign Ministry. On February 13 this year, the foreign ministry issued a statement “in connection with a new serious violation of the country’s airspace by Russian drones.”
“In response to these provocations, the Foreign Ministry decided to unilaterally denounce the Intergovernmental Agreement between Moldova and Russia on the establishment and functioning of cultural centers, concluded in 1998. After the denunciation procedure is completed, the Russian Cultural Center will cease its activity in the country,” the ministry said.
This is the first project presented by the new Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan.
“The Russian Cultural Center was not a cultural center at all – it was a place where activities undermining Moldova’s sovereignty were held,” Jardan said.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu welcomed the initiative – “which we have been expecting for a long time.”
The day before, the Cotidianul newspaper published a large article by former Justice Minister Alexandru Tanase titled “A Thousand and One Moldovan Warnings.” In it, the author calls Russian cultural centers “branches of Russia’s military intelligence network,” which “under diplomatic protection and under the pretext of promoting language, art and history, function as logistical nodes in the Kremlin’s networks.”
Meanwhile, the RCSC in Chisinau continues to provide consultations to applicants for admission to Russian universities within the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation for the academic year 2026/2027. The specialists of the Center help applicants on a daily basis, explaining how to get free quota for secondary vocational and higher education, master’s and postgraduate studies. Applications are accepted until December 15, 2025. About 700 Russian universities participate in the selection process.
