Moscow – The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused European countries of planning “to occupy Moldova” and establishing a NATO task force along the Romania-Moldova border to intimidate Transnistria., reports 24brussels.
The SVR, as reported by the state news agency TASS, claims that the European Union and NATO are intent on keeping Moldova aligned with their “Russophobic policy.”
Why does Russia accuse the EU of planning to occupy Moldova?
NATO troops have already been deployed to Odessa, Ukraine, with the stated aim of intimidating Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway state between Ukraine and Moldova. The SVR warns that Brussels intends to “occupy” Moldova after the parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month.
“They plan to do this at any cost, including by introducing troops and de facto occupying the country. At this stage, a concentration of armed forces units from NATO countries is being carried out in Romania near the Moldovan border,”
the agency stated.
What concerns does Moscow raise about Moldova’s upcoming election?
“European officials fear that the gross falsification of the election results being prepared by Brussels and Chisinau will force desperate Moldovan citizens to take to the streets to defend their rights. Then, at the request of President Maia Sandu, the armed forces of European states will have to force Moldovans to accept a dictatorship under the guise of European democracy,”
the agency claimed.
Moldova is set to hold a crucial snap parliamentary election on September 28, which could significantly influence its future. This election comes at a pivotal time for Moldova, an aspiring EU member, as it confronts various hybrid threats from Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
What accusations has Sandu made about Kremlin funding in Moldova?
In parallel developments, Moldovan President Maia Sandu accused Russia on Monday of investing “hundreds of millions of euros” to undermine her country’s electoral process this weekend, according to Politico.
“The Kremlin is pouring hundreds of millions of euros to buy hundreds of thousands of votes on both banks of the Nistru river and abroad,”
she asserted.
“People are intoxicated daily with lies. Hundreds of individuals are paid to provoke disorder, violence, and spread fear.
If Russia gains control over Moldova, the consequences will be immediate and dangerous for our country and for the entire region. Every Moldovan will suffer, no matter who they voted for,”
she added.