Proof that our relations with Russia, and nations that fall under it's influence, are rather testy right now. In the tiny Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet State, U.S. soldiers were treated rather brusquely as they participated in a goodwill tour connected to the anniversary of Victory in Europe day. Like Ukraine, Moldovans must decide whether to fall under Russia's influence or the West's.
A West Texas soldier told FOX34 why some locals protested a U.S. military presence there.
The V-Day celebrations Monday marked the 71st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. It also reflected on the enormous suffering by the then-Soviet States.
"Congratulations on Victory Day of the Great Patriotic War (World War II)," Chechnya regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov addressed to a Russian crowd. "Victory Day is a symbol of the courage, unity and dedication of all Russian nations. Millions of soldiers, marines and officers gave their lives in the fight against Hitler's Germany."
"We went and paid honors at the Victory Day wreath-laying ceremony, where we had the opportunity to pay honor to the soldiers that have made the ultimate sacrifice," U.S. Army Major Timothy Butler said.
The annual V-Day parade doubles as a military showcase. Despite an invitation from Moldova's president and prime minister, the U.S. Army's presence at Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, outraged many locals.
"That's the beautiful mess of democracy at play," Butler said. "We, as soldiers that have volunteered to defend democracy and volunteer to defend those principals and freedoms, we have absolutely no issue with that at all. To us, it's encouraging because it's sparking conversation."
Protesters chanted "go home NATO" and "we are a neutral state." They believed the U.S. presence was invading their sovereign state. Major Butler explained that the U.S. troops were in Moldova, not to participate in V-Day celebrations but to train it's military. The timing was merely coincidental.
"We, as the U.S., are part of NATO but this exercise is purely bilateral," Butler said. "So what we're doing in Moldova is a bilateral training exercise with the only Moldovan engineering battalion."
The U.S. Army's presence on V-Day was purely for transparency. Butler said the protests were not indicative of the overall experience.
"We were there for 10.5 hours and during that time, the res soldiers had an opportunity to exchange cultures, to allow the people of Chisinau into our vehicles, to talk with them and intermingle with them," Butler explained. "The protesters were there for approximately 30 minutes. They said what they had to say peacefully, made their point and then departed. Hopefully those 30 minutes don't dominate the discussion of the 10.5 hours that we were actually present and the 10.5 hours of absolutely positive interaction with the people of Chisinau and the people of Moldova."
Moldova is an eastern European country wedged between Romania and Ukraine. Similar to West Texas, it's economy relies heavily on agriculture.
"It is Europe's poorest nation, maybe monetarily, but definitely not in culture, definitely not in kindness, definitely not in hospitality," Butler said. "There's a lost culture here and a lost friendliness and a lost honesty at times that we don't necessarily experience in more developed nations."
Major Butler said their troops will stay in Moldova until late May. Afterward, they will drive 1,200 miles to the heart of Romania for their next operation.
