Russia must “disappear” for the survival of the planet; citing Zatulin’s alleged statement that Moldovans deserve to disappear
Executive summary
Reports in late 2025 attribute incendiary language about Moldovans and Ukrainians to Russian State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin, including statements saying these nations “deserve to disappear as a nation,” prompting calls in Moldova for strong responses [1]. Multiple Russian outlets and pro‑Kremlin sites document Zatulin’s broad anti‑Western and irredentist framing of Moldova and Transnistria, though exact wording and context vary across sources [2] [3] [4].
1. What the headlines claim — and where they come from
Several regional and Moldovan outlets report that Konstantin Zatulin used extreme language about Moldovans and Ukrainians in autumn 2025, with Cotidianul quoting an assertion that “Moldovans, like Ukrainians, deserve to disappear as a nation” and urging Chisinau to react firmly [1]. That charge has circulated in Moldovan media and in Kremlin‑aligned publications that also summarize Zatulin’s repeated attacks on Moldovan leadership and Western influence [3] [4]. Pro‑Kremlin news sites and Zatulin’s own channels publish broader commentary linking Moldova’s trajectory to Transnistria and accusing pro‑European leaders of endangering Russian compatriots [2] [5].
2. Zatulin’s track record and themes
Zatulin is a long‑standing State Duma deputy active on “compatriots” and CIS affairs; reporting characterizes him as a persistent advocate of Russian interests in post‑Soviet space and notes his public persona is shaped by “Russian World” advocacy [6]. Recent pieces show him framing Moldova’s 2025 elections as Western‑driven and warning against Moldovan rapprochement with Romania and the EU, while calling for protection of Transnistrian Russians [2] [3] [4].
3. How sources differ on phrasing and emphasis
Not all outlets carry the same quote or identical context. Cotidianul’s piece presents the most direct attribution of the “deserve to disappear” formulation [1]. Other Russian and regional reports present Zatulin’s rhetoric as combative and alarmist — accusing Chisinau of preparing “anschluss” or loss of independence, or describing Moldova as sliding under Western patrons — without repeating that specific genocidal phrasing [2] [7] [3]. That variability matters for assessing whether a quote is literal, paraphrased, or rhetorical escalation [1] [2].
4. Moldova’s and outside observers’ reaction
Moldovan commentators and analysts treat statements like those attributed to Zatulin as part of a broader Kremlin playbook of intimidation, disinformation, and hybrid interference aimed at reversing Moldova’s Westward drift; experts warn such narratives can pave the way to political or military pressure [1] [8] [9]. International observers and election monitors documented intensified Kremlin‑linked influence operations during Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary contest, citing illegal funding, disinformation and other destabilizing activity [8] [9].
5. Evidence, limits and gaps in reporting
Available sources show Zatulin’s long record of aggressive commentary toward Moldova and explicit warnings about Transnistria [2] [3] [4]. Cotidianul (a Moldovan outlet) specifically attributes the “deserve to disappear” line to Zatulin [1]. However, the provided corpus does not include a primary transcript or original Kremlin news agency dispatch with verbatim context for that phrase; some Russian outlets preserve broader accusations without reproducing the identical wording [2] [3]. Therefore, precise provenance and whether the quote was rhetorical provocation, literal endorsement of disappearance, or mistranslation/paraphrase is not fully documented in the sources supplied.
6. Competing interpretations and possible motives
Pro‑Moldovan and Western sources read such rhetoric as preparatory — legitimizing coercion or justifying intervention — and frame it alongside documented Kremlin interference in the 2025 election [8] [9]. Kremlin‑aligned media and Zatulin’s channels frame his statements as defense of compatriots, warnings against Western encroachment and criticism of Moldovan elites’ choices [2] [5]. Each side has an implicit agenda: Chisinau and Western monitors highlight Russian threats to justify protective measures; pro‑Kremlin outlets amplify grievances to rally domestic support and delegitimize Moldova’s Western orientation [1] [9] [2].
7. Why this matters now
Language that frames an entire nation as dispensable escalates tensions and can be used to justify political or military measures; Moldovan officials and analysts say such narratives fit a broader pattern of destabilization and deserve a firm response [1] [8]. Election monitors and regional analysts flagged in 2025 that Moscow’s toolkit included illegal funding and disinformation designed to undermine democratic outcomes, a context that makes provocative rhetoric consequential beyond mere words [8] [9].
8. Bottom line for readers
Available reporting shows Zatulin has repeatedly attacked Moldova’s pro‑European course and defended Transnistrian ties [2] [3] [4]. Cotidianul attributes an explicitly genocidal formulation to him, but primary-source verification of the exact phrasing and context is not present among the supplied materials; other outlets reiterate strongly worded threats or warnings without reproducing the identical line [1] [2] [3]. Readers should treat the most extreme phrasings as serious claims that need direct sourcing and follow‑up, while recognizing they sit inside a persistent pattern of Kremlin pressure documented by election monitors and region‑focused reporting [8] [9].