Moldova rejects Russian report of Ukrainian plot
Moldova has denied allegations by Russia that Ukraine intends to invade the breakaway and pro-Russian territory of Transnistria in the common border area. The Moldovan government said on Thursday via the short message service Telegram that it could not confirm the claims of the Russian Ministry of Defense. She called on the population to remain calm and to pay attention to official and credible information from the authorities. The state-run Russian news agency RIA had reported that Ukraine was planning an invasion of its neighboring country Moldova. An attack allegedly carried out by Russian forces from Transnistria should serve as a pretext.
Russia has troops stationed in Transnistria – a narrow strip of Moldova bordering Ukraine. Pro-Russian Transnistria has seceded from Moldova, which Russia recognizes but not the international community. Moldova borders Ukraine to the east and Romania, a member of the EU and NATO, to the west.
RIA quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galusin as saying that the West had instructed the government in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, to end all cooperation with the Russian-backed authorities in Transnistria. The government in Chisinau said it could not confirm these claims. “Our authorities work together with foreign partners, and in the event of a threat to the country, the population is informed immediately.”
Moldova’s foreign minister, Nicu Popescu, told Reuters on Wednesday that his country was prepared for “the full spectrum of threats” from Russia. “Of course we have limited resources, but at the same time we are not alone.” The small country’s president, Maia Sandu, recently accused Russia of planning a coup to overthrow the government in Chisinau. Russia rejected this. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was obvious that Ukraine would not be the last stop after Russia’s invasion. The government in Moscow is considering strangling the Republic of Moldova.