Russian threats – Moldova fears Russia – News

Russia’s greed seems to have no end: According to Ukrainian information, Russia is planning a coup in Moldova.

Why is? Russia is planning a coup in Moldova, reports the Ukrainian secret service. Moldovan President Maia Sandu addressed the population via television on Monday to warn them of attempts to disrupt the area, which are controlled from Moscow. A week ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had intercepted a Russian plan to destabilize Moldova.

What would Russia’s approach look like? Moldovan President Sandu said the plans would see Russian saboteurs attacking public buildings in Moldova, taking hostages and inciting violent protests in the capital Chisinau under the guise of the pro-Russian opposition. The aim is a change of power in Moldova.

How credible is the Ukrainian intelligence information? “At least they sound very credible because they go well with the words and actions of the Kremlin,” says Roman Fillinger, SRF correspondent in Eastern Europe. About two weeks ago, for example, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov threatened on Russian television that Moldova could become the next Ukraine. According to Lavrov, Moldova is one of those countries that the West wants to incite against Russia.

The rockets may fall in Ukraine, but it is also a threatening gesture towards Moldova.

Is Russia’s meddling in Moldova noticeable? “Russia has already turned on the gas tap,” says Fillinger. Until recently, Moldova was almost entirely dependent on Russian gas. Russia has significantly restricted gas supplies. Moldova can partly get gas from the west, but the western gas is much more expensive, which is a big problem, the correspondent said. Russia also uses Moldova as a missile overfly zone. “The rockets hit Ukraine, but it’s also a threatening gesture towards Moldova,” says Fillinger.

Why won’t Russia leave Moldova alone? Moldova is currently governed by a pro-Western regime and has submitted an application to join the EU. “Yes, Russia considers the ex-Soviet Republic of Moldova to be part of its sphere of influence,” says the correspondent. Moldova’s application to join the EU is a provocation for Russia. Also, a part of Moldova has been under Russian control for thirty years: Transnistria. «Moscow has stationed 2,000 Russian soldiers in Transnistria. Among other things, they guard a huge warehouse with thousands of tons of military equipment from the Soviet Union,” says Fillinger.

Legend:

Members of the Honor Guard hold the Moldovan flag during a State Flag Day ceremony in the capital Chisinau.

Archive/REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza

Does the recent resignation of Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita have anything to do with the Russian threat? It is connected, says correspondent Fillinger, but not only: Apparently there have been tensions between the prime minister and the president for a long time, even though they belong to the same party. “The Prime Minister will be replaced by Sandu’s most important security adviser,” says Fillinger. This shows that security problems are currently considered more important in Chisinau than economic problems.