CHISINAU, MOLDOVA (AP) — The president of Moldova said on Monday that Russia would use outside saboteurs to overthrow his own government and put the country “at the mercy of Russia” and one day join the European Union. I outlined what she described as a conspiracy to frustrate any desire to join. .
President Maia Sandu’s briefing said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country intercepted plan Claims later confirmed by Moldovan intelligence by Russian secret services to destroy Moldova.
“Planning for the next period will involve diversionaries who are military trained, camouflaged in plain clothes, commit violent acts, attack several state buildings, and even take hostages. ,” Sandu told reporters.
“The aim of these actions is to overthrow the constitutional order and transform legitimate power from Chisinau to illegitimate,” Sandu said. ”
She defiantly vowed: “The Kremlin’s attempts to bring violence to our country will not succeed.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine about a year ago, Moldova, a former Soviet republic of about 2.6 million people, has sought to forge closer ties with its Western partners. Last June, it was given EU candidate status on the same day as Ukraine.
Sandu said that between October and December, the Moldovan Police and its Information Security Service (SIS) intervened in “several cases of organized crime elements” and thwarted attempts at violence.
Over the past year, non-NATO Moldova has faced a series of problems. These include a severe energy crisis after Moscow dramatically cut gas supplies. Soaring inflation. There have also been several incidents in recent months involving missiles flying over and debris found on the territory.
Moldovan officials confirmed that another missile from the war in Ukraine entered its airspace on Friday.
Sandu said Russia wants to use Moldova in a war with Ukraine, but did not give details, but information obtained by intelligence agencies suggests that Russia, Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro citizens have been sent to Moldova. said it contained instructions on immigration rules and what she explained.
“I assure you that national agencies are working to prevent these challenges and keep the situation under control,” Sandhu said.
She said Moldova’s parliament must adopt a bill to equip the Intelligence and Security Service and the Public Prosecutor’s Office “with the necessary tools to combat risks to national security more effectively.”
The president added that the plan “will rely on several internal forces, particularly criminal groups,” and named two Moldovan oligarchs currently in exile, Ilan Shor and Vladimir Plahotniuc.both last year US and UK approved.
A series of large-scale anti-government protests organized by the Shoal populist, Russia-friendly Shoal party last fall also rocked Moldova amidst energy shortages.
Monday’s presidential press conference follows Friday’s resignation of Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita. On the same day, Sandu appointed her defense and security adviser, pro-Western economist Dorin Lethian, to replace Gabrilita.
After Moldovan officials confirmed the missile incident on Friday, US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters in Washington, “Russia has been supporting influence and destabilization campaigns in Moldova for years. Its campaigns often involve weaponizing corruption to advance its goals.”
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McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.
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