SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 28 March 2024, Thursday |

Moldovan president warns of Russian plot to topple leadership

On Monday, the president of Moldova alleged that Russia had plans to recruit foreign spies to overthrow her little nation’s government, prevent its enlargement into the European Union, and use it against Ukraine.

After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed last week that his nation had discovered a Russian intelligence plot “for the annihilation of Moldova,” President Maia Sandu made her remarks. Days later, the cabinet of Moldova resigned.

Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine, has repeatedly expressed concern about Moscow’s intentions towards the former Soviet republic and about the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway Transdniestria region.

She said the plan involved citizens of Russia, Montenegro, Belarus and Serbia entering Moldova to try to spark protests in an attempt to “change the legitimate government to an illegal government controlled by the Russian Federation.”

“The Kremlin’s attempts to bring violence to Moldova will not work. Our main goal is the security of citizens and the state. Our goal is peace and public order in the country,” Sandu told a news briefing.

Russia denied last year wanting to intervene in Moldova after authorities in Transdniestria said they had been targeted by a series of attacks.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby on Monday said reports of the plot had not been independently confirmed but were “deeply concerning” and “certainly not outside the bounds of Russian behaviour.”

    Source:
  • Reuters