Moldova calls Russia ‘security threat’

Moldova called Russia a 'national security threat' that wants to eliminate the country's statehood. The President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said that the new national security strategy for the first time refers to Russia as a threat. The strategy presented on Wednesday reads:

"The Russian Federation and its proxies in the Republic of Moldova are the most dangerous and constant source of threat, which, if left unchecked, could have grave consequences for the statehood, democracy and prosperity of our country." In her statement, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that Russia had invaded Ukraine with the intention of "creating a military land corridor to the Republic of Moldova, which would create preconditions for an immediate violent change in the constitutional order and the elimination of our statehood."

Maia Sandu, President of Moldova

If the strategy is adopted (it must be approved by the Parliament to become an official document), the government will be able to make significant investments in defense and security, including through military trainings with Western partners. "For the first time, we clearly and openly state that Russia is the greatest threat to our national security. [The document] also emphasizes our strategic partnership with the EU, the U.S., the UK and other NATO members," Sandu explained.

Last year, Moldova gained the status of an EU candidate. But Russia has not given up trying to force it to turn away from its pro-Western path. For this purpose, gas blackmailing, bribery of voters and financing of pro-Russian forces were used, as well as, as Sandu said, an attempted coup d'etat.

According to the President, it was prepared by the head of the Russian PMC Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Yevgeny Prigozhin in his latest video allegedly from Africa. August 2023. Frame from the video from the page of the head of the PMC Wagner

Moldova also warns that Russia is conducting "hybrid operations in the political, economic, energy, social, information and cyber sectors." Russian troops stationed in Transnistria also pose a threat.

As previously reported, the Ukrainian authorities consider the 5+2 format in relation to the Transnistrian settlement process unviable.