ATHENS

Moldova’s parliament approved a declaration Thursday condemning Russia over its war on Ukraine, which recently entered its second year, local media reported.

Lawmakers recognized that Russia started a war with Ukraine with the annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and has since continued its aggression against the country, the state-run Moldpres news agency said.

It said parliament also recognized that Russia has been waging an illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine, intensified through the widescale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

“Under the document, this outspoken aggression act represents war crimes and a glaring violation of the principles of international law and international commitments assumed by Russia,” it added.

In the declaration, the lawmakers consequently asked Russia to cease its military activities in Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all military forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, which is recognized internationally, according to the agency.

In response, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the move further escalates tensions between Russia and Moldova and called for cooperation.

"Once again, we call on the Moldovan authorities to stop the confrontational anti-Russian rhetoric, which has no basis, and show restraint regarding the situation in Transnistria. For our part, we reaffirm our readiness to develop constructive pragmatic cooperation with Chisinau and continue efforts to resolve the Transnistrian issue," Zakharova said in a statement.

Transnistria is an unrecognized breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Moldova but currently controlled by pro-Russian separatists.