Kremlin intensifies attempts to destabilize Moldova using pro-Russian figures - ISW
Kyiv • UNN
Moscow is trying to destabilize Moldovan democracy and society by using pro-Russian figures, such as Gagauzia's governor, Evgenia Gutsul, to create conditions for potential Russian aggression against Moldova.
To create conditions for Russia's potential aggression against Moldova, Moscow is trying to destabilize the country's democracy and society by using pro-Russian figures, including the pro-Russian head of the autonomous region of Gagauzia and her comments to Russian media about the alleged Romanian control of the Moldovan government.
This is reported by UNN with reference to a new report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Details
According to ISW's findings, a recent interview with the head of the Moldovan autonomous region of Gagauzia, Evgenia Gutsul, on Russian state television is likely aimed at establishing conditions to justify potential future Russian aggression against Moldova. The key audience of this interview is the residents of the Moldovan autonomous region of Gagauzia, the pro-Russian separatist republic of Transnistria and "other pro-Russian regions of Europe.
The Kremlin-linked governor of Gagauzia, during an interview with Russia's state-run Pervyi Kanal TV channel, hinted that Romanian officials control the Moldovan government, and that if Gagauzia starts the process of secession from Moldova, there will be a reaction not only from the Moldovan government in Chisinau, but also from Bucharest. Hucul claimed that the Moldovan authorities could respond to Gagauzia's secession with "loud, threatening statements" or deploy troops to Gagauzia and argued that the unification of Moldova and Romania would be the "death" of Moldova and the Moldovan language and culture.
Notably, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and MFA officials have recently insinuated that Western countries are somehow directing the Armenian government's national security policy, and claimed that Finland "lost its independence in foreign policy decision-making" after joining NATO. Earlier, the Kremlin - in order to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine - made similar false claims that NATO controls Ukraine and uses Ukraine to threaten Russia.
Recall
More than 2,200 troops from 12 NATO and partner countries will take part in Exercise Sea Shield 24, which will take place in Romania from April 8-21 and will include maritime and riverine operations in the Black Sea region.
According to the Deputy Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, NATO should play a stronger coordinating role in supporting Ukraine without becoming a party to the war, bearing in mind the risk of a large-scale war between NATO and Russia.
