Russia's foreign intelligence service says NATO wants to involve Moldova to counter Moscow
"The press office of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reports that, according to information received by the SVR, NATO is actively preparing to engage Moldova in a probable armed conflict with Russia. A decision has been made in Brussels to speed up the transformation of the country into the 'forward outpost of the alliance on the eastern flank, taking into account the advancement of Russian forces in Ukraine,'" the statement read, reports RIA Novosti.
The SVR report further alleged that NATO is working to make Moldovan territory suitable for the rapid deployment of alliance troops to Russian borders.
"NATO forces are intensively turning what was once a peaceful agricultural republic into a military testing ground. Moldova's territory is being made suitable for the operational redeployment of NATO troops to Russian borders.
'Projects are underway to switch to European railway standards and increase the capacity of bridges. Logistic hubs, large warehouses, and areas for concentrating military equipment are being built.
'The Marculesti and Balti airfields, located near Ukraine, are being modernised with a focus on enabling the reception of a significant number of combat and military transport aircraft," the statement said.
Accusing the Western bloc of wanting to use Moldovans as "cannon fodder" in the event of armed actions against the Russia, the SVR report further alleged that NATO is forcing Chisinau to change its military doctrine, and adhere to the bloc's own concepts of warfare.
The Moldovan army is being flooded with military instructors from the bloc's countries, and specialised training centres are being set up.
Chisinau instead expects NATO to support the pro-presidential Action and Solidarity party in the upcoming parliamentary elections. In case of victory, Maia Sandu has promised to cancel the country's neutral status.
Despite maintaining neutrality, the relationship between Moscow and Chisinau has deteriorated considerably after President Maia Sandu took office in 2020, due to her more pro-European policy, and looking at Russia as potential threat. UNI ANV SSP
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