Moldova has initiated the formal process of withdrawing from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Russia-led regional bloc, by launching procedures to denounce the core agreements underpinning its membership, Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi said in a broadcast on Radio Moldova. 

The withdrawal from the CIS is part of an institutional shift away from post-Soviet multilateral structures as Chisinau accelerates its integration with European institutions. Moldova is seeking to complete accession negotiations with the European Union in 2028, according to government targets.

Popșoi said the government has begun approving the denunciation of three foundational documents: the CIS Founding Agreement signed in Minsk on December 8, 1991; the Annex to that agreement signed on December 22, 1991; and the CIS Statute signed on January 22, 1993. These agreements form the legal basis of Moldova’s affiliation with the organisation.

“The foreign ministry of the Republic of Moldova has initiated proceedings for denouncing the CIS constitution agreements. After the completion of the governmental procedure, the projects will be submitted to parliament for a decision," Popșoi wrote on Facebook. 

"If the legislature approves the denunciation of the 3 constitutional agreements, and the president enacts them, after passing the technical stages, [Republic of Moldova] will no longer be a part of the CIS."

The foreign minister said the documents will be examined at the beginning of the new parliamentary session. According to Popșoi, the government has already launched the internal approval procedures, with the denunciation bills to be submitted to parliament after completion of the executive review.

“Probably, by mid-February, we will finalise the procedures in the government, after which the decision will be made by parliament,” Popșoi said, as quoted by Moldpres.

Moldova has gradually reduced its engagement with the CIS in recent years. Of the 283 agreements signed within the CIS framework, 71 have already been denounced, while around 60 more are currently in the process of termination, the foreign minister said.

Popșoi said the move clarifies Moldova’s legal status vis-à-vis the CIS and aligns with the country’s strategic direction. He described the step as part of a broader effort to consolidate Moldova’s European orientation.