Russia warns of NATO, EU plans to occupy Moldova
Russia says NATO military units are being deployed near the Moldovan border as part of a bid by the European Union and Ukraine to “occupy” the former Soviet republic.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said Tuesday that NATO forces were massing in Romania near the Moldovan border and reportedly planning a “landing” in Ukraine’s Odesa region.
“According to available information, the first group of career military personnel from France and Great Britain has already arrived,” the intelligence service report said.
It added that the EU was “determined to keep Moldova within the framework of their Russophobic policies,” as the country goes to vote on Sunday.
“This is planned to be done at any cost, including the deployment of troops and the de facto occupation of the country. At this stage, NATO military units are positioning in Romania near the Moldovan border,” it added.
The report comes as Moldova, the eastern European country, goes to a critical parliamentary election. The vote is viewed as a decisive choice between EU integration and closer ties with Moscow.
The country’s pro-Western president, Maia Sandu, accused the Kremlin of spending “hundreds of millions of euros” to influence the election, allegations Russia has denied.
Meanwhile, Igor Dodon, the joint leader of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, said in a social media message that members of his party were targeted by Moldova’s government forces on Monday. He said the government “is trying to intimidate us, frighten the people and silence us.”
Analysts say European officials fear that alleged “gross falsifications” of election results orchestrated by Brussels and the Moldovan government could spark widespread protests, as Moldovans mobilize to defend their rights.
They said European leaders might respond to such unrest at the request of President Sandu by deploying armed forces, which critics warn could effectively impose “a dictatorship under the guise of European-style democracy.”
According to the SVR report, the EU does not intend to abandon its plans to occupy Moldova even if post-election conditions do not immediately require external intervention.
“The deployment of troops is expected to occur somewhat later,” it said, adding that armed provocations against Russian troops stationed in the region are reportedly being plotted to create a pretext.
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