Russia conspires to usurp regime in Moldova – Moldovan President alleges

Chișinău / Moscow / Kyiv: The President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, made serious allegations that a conspiracy has been planned to overthrow the ruling regime in Moldova with the help of Russia and other foreign agents. President Sandu claimed that under this conspiracy, agents who are citizens of Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro and Russia would enter Moldova and create unrest and instability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia responded that Russia has rejected the accusations of the Moldovan President and that they are untrue.

Moreover, bordered by Ukraine and Romania, Moldova was once part of the Russian Federation. After the split of the Russian Federation in 1991, the country declared independence. However, Transnistria is an autonomous region governed by a pro-Russian group. This country, with a population of about 2.6 million, has applied for membership in the European Union and the Union has given it the status of a ‘candidate country’. Since then, Moldova has also started moving for NATO membership. There has been a strong reaction from Russia.

A few days ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Moldova could become a ‘new Ukraine’ due to the ongoing activities of Western countries. ‘For the near term, the West is preparing Moldova as the next Ukraine. Moldova’s sources are currently under a Western-appointed president.’ Sandu has hinted at using various avenues for NATO inclusion. President Sandu’s citizenship is Romanian. Foreign Minister Lavrov warned that they are ready to take any further steps by merging with Romania. Moldova expressed strong displeasure with Lavrov’s statement.

Furthermore, last week, Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed that the Ukrainian authorities had received information about Russia’s conspiracy in Moldova. Based on Zelensky’s statement, President Sandu alleged that Moldova’s institutions have also got some clues and a plot to overthrow the government has been planned. Besides, foreign agents with military training and civilian uniforms may enter Moldova and carry out violent activities over the next few days. Government buildings may be attacked. ‘It aims to bring down the constitutionally based government,’ claimed the President of Moldova. However, President Sandu warned that the Moldovan government would not allow Russia’s intrigues to succeed.