Latest news with #DorinRecean
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia seeks to deploy 10000 troops to Transnistria and potentially undermine election, Moldovan PM Recean says
Russia aims to deploy 10,000 troops to Transnistria and install a pro-Kremlin government in Moldova to enable it, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean told the Financial Times in an interview published June 4. 'They want to consolidate their military presence in the Transnistrian region,' Recean said, adding that Russia's goal is to increase leverage not only near Ukraine's southwest but also close to NATO member Romania. Although Russia has maintained a limited military presence in Transnistria since the 1990s, only 1,000-1,500 troops remain today. 'Currently, their forces there are almost meaningless,' Recean noted. However, he warned that a Russia-leaning government in Chisinau could authorize a buildup, citing Moldovan intelligence estimates for the 10,000-troop target. Recean accused Russia of meddling in Moldova's upcoming parliamentary elections through propaganda, illegal financing, and 'spending the equivalent of 1% of Moldova's GDP' on influence operations in 2024. He said Moldovan authorities had intercepted citizens carrying large sums of Russian cash and discovered that 130,000 voters in the previous election received money from Russian sources. 'This is a huge effort to undermine Moldovan democracy,' Recean said, affirming that Moldova remains committed to becoming an EU member.' The Kremlin has not publicly responded to these allegations. Transnistria is a Russia-controlled breakaway region of Moldova that Moscow occupied in the early 1990s under the pretext of protecting the Russian population. The region borders Ukraine's Odesa Oblast and is internationally recognized as part of Moldova. Read also: Polish PM Tusk blames Russian hackers for cyberattacks ahead of presidential election We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Moldovan PM: Russia wants pro-Kremlin government in Chișinău and 10,000 troops in Transnistria
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean has stated that Russia seeks to deploy 10,000 troops in the separatist Transnistria region of Moldova and to establish a pro-Kremlin government in Chișinău. Source: Recean in an interview with the Financial Times, as reported by European Pravda Details: The prime minister said Russia is interfering in Moldova's parliamentary elections, scheduled for the end of September 2025, hoping that the future government will be more sympathetic to Moscow and will allow a larger Russian military presence in Transnistria. "This is a huge effort to undermine Moldovan democracy… They want to consolidate their military presence in the Transnistrian region," Recean said. He stated that the estimate of 10,000 troops that Russia could deploy in Transnistria is based on intelligence from Moldovan security services. "Currently, their forces there are almost meaningless. But with a higher military presence in Transnistria that a Russia-leaning government can allow for, they can consolidate," Recean warned. "You can imagine with 10,000 troops, what the leverage and pressure would be on the southwestern part of Ukraine. But also close to Romania, which is a NATO member state," the Moldovan prime minister added. Background: Estimates suggest there are currently about 1,500 troops sporting the Russian flag in Transnistria, most of whom are local residents. Moldova consistently maintains that the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria is illegal and Chișinău expects their unconditional withdrawal. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Putin's chilling plot to march 10,000 troops into ANOTHER European nation revealed by its PM… & it could spiral into WW3
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSIA reportedly plans to deploy 10,000 troops into a breakaway region of another Eastern European nation - igniting fears of Putin's war spilling further across the continent. Moldova's Prime Minister has warned the Kremlin wants to march troops into Transnistria - a Moscow-friendly enclave that's internationally recognised as part of Moldova. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Cars wait in line at the crossing point between the self-proclaimed republic of Transnistria and Moldova Credit: AFP 7 Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean speaks during a press conference Credit: EPA 7 Russian troops have been based in Transnistria since 1992 Credit: Reuters 7 Russian servicemen walking along at an area in the Kursk region, Russia Credit: EPA 7 The small landlocked region, sandwiched between Ukraine and the rest of Moldova, has been controlled by separatists for 33 years. Transnistria receives significant economic and military support from Moscow, and the region's politicians have voiced their intent for it to become part of Russia. The region's location between the pro-Europe governments in Moldova and Ukraine make it impossible for Putin to get soldiers in at present. While Moldova currently has an EU-friendly government, its PM has said Russia is meddling in its upcoming election this September. Prime Minister Dorin Recean told the FT this is likely in the hope that a more pro-Kremlin government might allow for Russian troops to be sent to Transnistria. "This is a huge effort to undermine Moldovan democracy," he told the paper. "They want to consolidate their military presence in the Transnistrian region." Russian troops have been based in Transnistria since 1992, when the Kremlin supported the region in its war of independence from Moldova. However, the numbers have substantially wound down over the years, with there currently only being about 1,500 soldiers fighting under the Russian banner. But only a few of these will have actually been sent by Moscow, with most being locals who signed up. Deranged Putin lays out wish list of 'surrender demands' for Ukraine… despite being humbled by Russia's 'Pearl Harbour' Transnistria isn't internationally recognised as an independent state, and is not a member of the UN. Think tank The Institute for the Study of War forecast last October that Russia might use its ties to Transnistria "to establish long-term influence over Moldovan domestic and foreign policies". Recean further highlighted the ominous military threats to Ukraine and NATO that could arise from extra Russian troops in the region. Its location to Ukraine's southwest could raise fresh headaches for Kyiv if Russia used Transnistria to open up a new front in the war. "You can imagine with 10,000 troops, what the leverage and pressure would be on the southwestern part of Ukraine," he said. But Recean also noted the area's proximity to Romania, which is a NATO country. If Russian forces threatened or attacked Romania - or any other NATO member - then the entire alliance would be obliged to come to its aid. NATO Article 5 sets out that an attack on one member state is an attack on all, meaning Russian attacks against a NATO country could quickly spiral into all-out war. Transnistria's history Transnistria is a tiny slither of land along Moldova's border with Ukraine The region has been controlled by Russian backed separatists for decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It declared independence in 1990, which was followed by a war that saw Russia support Transnistria's independence. Moscow has maintained a strong military presence in the territory since 1992. Many of Transnistria's political leaders have long voiced their intent for the region to become a part of Russia. But it still remains internationally recognised as part of Moldova - a country that seeks closer co-operation with the EU. Transnistria has a population of around 465,000. Fears of a war between the West and Russia over Transnistria have been amplified by the separatist region's leader Vadim Krasnoselsky. He told the Russian TASS news agency: "A war in Transnistria would mean a direct conflict between Russia and NATO. "I don't have the slightest doubt about it. Everything is closely intertwined here. "Both Romania, a NATO member, and the Russian Federation have interests here." Recean added that the 10,000-troop figure was based on intelligence assessments. "Currently, their forces there are almost meaningless," he said. "But with a higher military presence in Transnistria that a Russia-leaning government can allow for, they can consolidate." Moldova was part of the Soviet Union before its collapse in 1991. In recent years, it has sought to pursue closer ties with the European Union, and became an official candidate to join the EU in 2022. A referendum held last year committing Moldova on its path to EU membership passed by just 0.7% of the vote amid what was widely believed to be a Russian interference campaign. Recean told the FT that Russia spent the equivalent of 1% of Moldova's GDP on influence campaigns in 2024. 7 A billboard reading 'Russia in our hearts' sits on the side of a road in the town of Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria Credit: AFP
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Putin's chilling plot to march 10,000 troops into ANOTHER European nation revealed by its PM… & it could spiral into WW3
RUSSIA reportedly plans to deploy 10,000 troops into a breakaway region of another Eastern European nation - igniting fears of Putin's war spilling further across the continent. Moldova's Prime Minister has warned the Kremlin wants to march troops into Transnistria - a Moscow-friendly enclave that's internationally recognised as part of Moldova. 7 7 7 7 7 The small landlocked region, sandwiched between Ukraine and the rest of Moldova, has been controlled by separatists for 33 years. Transnistria receives significant economic and military support from Moscow, and the region's politicians have voiced their intent for it to become part of Russia. The region's location between the pro-Europe governments in Moldova and Ukraine make it impossible for Putin to get soldiers in at present. While Moldova currently has an EU-friendly government, its PM has said Russia is meddling in its upcoming election this September. Prime Minister Dorin Recean told the FT this is likely in the hope that a more pro-Kremlin government might allow for Russian troops to be sent to Transnistria. "This is a huge effort to undermine Moldovan democracy," he told the paper. "They want to consolidate their military presence in the Transnistrian region." Russian troops have been based in Transnistria since 1992, when the Kremlin supported the region in its war of independence from Moldova. However, the numbers have substantially wound down over the years, with there currently only being about 1,500 soldiers fighting under the Russian banner. But only a few of these will have actually been sent by Moscow, with most being locals who signed up. Transnistria isn't internationally recognised as an independent state, and is not a member of the UN. Think tank The Institute for the Study of War forecast last October that Russia might use its ties to Transnistria "to establish long-term influence over Moldovan domestic and foreign policies". Recean further highlighted the ominous military threats to Ukraine and NATO that could arise from extra Russian troops in the region. Its location to Ukraine's southwest could raise fresh headaches for Kyiv if Russia used Transnistria to open up a new front in the war. "You can imagine with 10,000 troops, what the leverage and pressure would be on the southwestern part of Ukraine," he said. But Recean also noted the area's proximity to Romania, which is a NATO country. If Russian forces threatened or attacked Romania - or any other NATO member - then the entire alliance would be obliged to come to its aid. NATO Article 5 sets out that an attack on one member state is an attack on all, meaning Russian attacks against a NATO country could quickly spiral into all-out war. Transnistria's history Transnistria is a tiny slither of land along Moldova's border with Ukraine The region has been controlled by Russian backed separatists for decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It declared independence in 1990, which was followed by a war that saw Russia support Transnistria's independence. Moscow has maintained a strong military presence in the territory since 1992. Many of Transnistria's political leaders have long voiced their intent for the region to become a part of Russia. But it still remains internationally recognised as part of Moldova - a country that seeks closer co-operation with the EU. Transnistria has a population of around 465,000. Fears of a war between the West and Russia over Transnistria have been amplified by the separatist region's leader Vadim Krasnoselsky. He told the Russian TASS news agency: "A war in Transnistria would mean a direct conflict between Russia and NATO. "I don't have the slightest doubt about it. Everything is closely intertwined here. "Both Romania, a NATO member, and the Russian Federation have interests here." Recean added that the 10,000-troop figure was based on intelligence assessments. "Currently, their forces there are almost meaningless," he said. "But with a higher military presence in Transnistria that a Russia-leaning government can allow for, they can consolidate." Moldova was part of the Soviet Union before its collapse in 1991. In recent years, it has sought to pursue closer ties with the European Union, and became an official candidate to join the EU in 2022. A referendum held last year committing Moldova on its path to EU membership passed by just 0.7% of the vote amid what was widely believed to be a Russian interference campaign. Recean told the FT that Russia spent the equivalent of 1% of Moldova's GDP on influence campaigns in 2024. 7 7
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Putin's chilling plot to march 10,000 troops into ANOTHER European nation revealed by its PM… & it could spiral into WW3
RUSSIA reportedly plans to deploy 10,000 troops into a breakaway region of another Eastern European nation - igniting fears of Putin's war spilling further across the continent. Moldova's Prime Minister has warned the Kremlin wants to march troops into Transnistria - a Moscow-friendly enclave that's internationally recognised as part of Moldova. Advertisement 7 Cars wait in line at the crossing point between the self-proclaimed republic of Transnistria and Moldova Credit: AFP 7 Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean speaks during a press conference Credit: EPA 7 Russian troops have been based in Transnistria since 1992 Credit: Reuters 7 Russian servicemen walking along at an area in the Kursk region, Russia Credit: EPA 7 The small landlocked region, sandwiched between Ukraine and the rest of Moldova, has been Transnistria receives significant economic and military support from Moscow, and the region's politicians have voiced their intent for it to become part of Russia. The region's location between the pro-Europe governments in Moldova and Ukraine make it impossible for Putin to get soldiers in at present. While Moldova currently has an EU-friendly government, its PM has said Russia is meddling in its upcoming election this September. Advertisement read more on russia Prime Minister Dorin Recean told the FT this is likely in the hope that a more pro-Kremlin government might allow for Russian troops to be sent to Transnistria. "This is a huge effort to undermine Moldovan democracy," he told the paper. "They want to consolidate their military presence in the Transnistrian region." Russian troops have been based in Transnistria since 1992, when the Kremlin supported the region in its war of independence from Moldova. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun However, the numbers have substantially wound down over the years, with there currently only being about 1,500 soldiers fighting under the Russian banner. But only a few of these will have actually been sent by Moscow, with most being locals who signed up. Deranged Putin lays out wish list of 'surrender demands' for Ukraine… despite being humbled by Russia's 'Pearl Harbour' Transnistria isn't internationally recognised as an independent state, and is not a member of the UN. Think tank The Institute for the Study of War forecast last October that Russia might use its ties to Transnistria "to establish long-term influence over Moldovan domestic and foreign policies". Advertisement Recean further highlighted the ominous military threats to Ukraine and NATO that could arise from extra Russian troops in the region. Its location to Ukraine's southwest could raise fresh headaches for Kyiv if Russia used Transnistria to open up a new front in the war. "You can imagine with 10,000 troops, what the leverage and pressure would be on the southwestern part of Ukraine," he said. But Recean also noted the area's proximity to Romania , which is a NATO country. Advertisement If Russian forces threatened or attacked Romania - or any other NATO member - then the entire alliance would be obliged to come to its aid. NATO Article 5 sets out that an attack on one member state is an attack on all, meaning Russian attacks against a NATO country could quickly spiral into all-out war. Transnistria's history Transnistria is a tiny slither of land along Moldova's border with Ukraine The region has been controlled by Russian backed separatists for decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It declared independence in 1990, which was followed by a war that saw Russia support Transnistria's independence. Moscow has maintained a strong military presence in the territory since 1992. Many of Transnistria's political leaders have long voiced their intent for the region to become a part of Russia. But it still remains internationally recognised as part of Moldova - a country that seeks closer co-operation with the EU. Transnistria has a population of around 465,000. Fears of a war between the West and Russia over Transnistria have been amplified by the separatist region's leader Vadim Krasnoselsky. He told the Russian TASS news agency: "A war in Transnistria would mean a direct conflict between Russia and NATO. Advertisement "I don't have the slightest doubt about it. Everything is closely intertwined here. "Both Romania, a NATO member, and the Russian Federation have interests here." Recean added that the 10,000-troop figure was based on intelligence assessments. "Currently, their forces there are almost meaningless," he said. Advertisement "But with a higher military presence in Transnistria that a Russia-leaning government can allow for, they can consolidate." Moldova was part of the Soviet Union before its collapse in 1991. In recent years, it has sought to pursue closer ties with the European Union, and became an official candidate to join the EU in 2022. A referendum held last year committing Moldova on its path to EU membership passed by just 0.7% of the vote amid what was widely believed to be a Russian interference campaign. Advertisement Recean told the FT that Russia spent the equivalent of 1% of Moldova's GDP on influence campaigns in 2024. 7 A billboard reading 'Russia in our hearts' sits on the side of a road in the town of Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria Credit: AFP 7 Russian servicemen riding atop a self-propelled gun at an area in the Kursk region, Russia Credit: EPA
