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Moldova has labelled Russia a threat to its national security, the first time the former Soviet republic has made such an overt accusation against Moscow, warning that it intends to “liquidate our statehood”.
The EU candidate country has been roiled by Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine and has faced a campaign of aggression from Moscow, including disruptions to its energy supply, an attempted coup and illegal funding of pro-Russian political groups.
The Russian designation was announced in the country’s new national security strategy unveiled by President Maia Sandu on Wednesday. It must be approved by parliament before being formally adopted.
Sandu said Moldova’s new stance, which involved consultations with US, UK and EU officials, would mandate her government to “make significant investments in defence and security systems” including military training with western partners.
The proposed new strategy document stated: “The Russian Federation and its proxies in the Republic of Moldova represent the most dangerous and persistent source of threat which, if not countered, can have severe effects on the statehood, democracy and prosperity of the country.”
Sandu told the FT: “For the first time we make it very clear and open that Russia is the biggest threat to our national security. It [also] underscores our strategic partnership with the EU countries, with the US, UK and other Nato members.”
Sandu’s heavily pro-EU government has led a sea-change in the former Soviet republic’s geopolitical alignment, a push accelerated by the war in Ukraine.
The European commission will present a report early next month on Moldova’s reform efforts, ahead of a decision by EU member states by the end of the year on whether to begin formal accession talks.
The statement on Wednesday by Moldova said that Russia intended the invasion of Ukraine to “create a military land corridor towards the Republic of Moldova, which would set up preconditions for immediate violent change of the constitutional order and the liquidation of our statehood”.
It specifically warned of “[Russian] hybrid operations . . . in the political, economic, energy, social, informational, cyber areas”, and the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway region of Transnistria on the country’s eastern border.
Last week, Sandu claimed that Russia’s paramilitary Wagner Group was behind an attempted coup in Moldova earlier this year, and that Moscow was attempting to influence local elections in the country next month.
Wednesday’s statement also highlighted the dangers of corruption and kleptocracy, and the high level of poverty among Moldova’s population.
“We are offering comprehensive and clear solutions on how to strengthen the capacity of our institutions, how to strengthen our processes so that we can protect our people,” said Sandu.
“At the same time, our strategy, of course, makes it very clear that EU integration is in our security interest, that we want to be part of the EU,” she added.
