Moldovan premier says Russia does not have enough resources for ‘escalation’

ISTANBUL

Moldova’s prime minister said Russia does not have enough resources to create an “escalation” amid growing political tensions between Chisinau and Moscow over claims of Russian plans to “destabilize” the country.

“My assessment is that Russia does not have sufficient resources for escalation. It is also clear that Russia cannot reach the Republic of Moldova militarily. On the other hand, the Republic of Moldova has sufficient consolidated capabilities to deal with possible escalations in Transnistria,” Dorin Recean said in an interview with the Romanian TVR television channel late Wednesday during a visit to Bucharest.

Recean said that Russia is “aggressively promoting” a hybrid war in order to escalate certain pro-war narratives or certain narratives that would result in dissension in society, not only in Moldova but also in other parts of the European Union and the world, adding he is confident that they will not succeed.

In reaction to recent protests in Chisinau, Recean noted that Moldovan institutions are able to manage the need for people to protest but that there are pro-Russian groups and criminal groups that try to destabilize the country and the authorities have “a firm hand to stop any attempt at destabilization.”

"The Republic of Moldova is really right next to this war. We, on the other hand, must understand that there is a difference between the danger of military escalation and attempts at destabilization. There is no danger of military escalation in the Republic of Moldova. That is very important to understand and appreciate, and the risk of destabilization was more present, including in the fall,” he said.

Recean further noted that Romania was “very responsive” when Moldova needed to find alternative energy supplies including natural gas, adding: “We thank the Bucharest authorities for the fact that they quickly got involved and helped the Republic of Moldova.”

Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russia intends to “undermine the political situation in Moldova,” in response to which Moldovan President Maia Sandu said state institutions “confirmed” Moscow’s plans.

Sandu said Russia's alleged plan involved a group of people with military training taking violent actions against government buildings and taking hostages.

Russia has rejected the claims, saying the "true goal" of Kyiv, which "launched disinformation about the 'Russian plan to destabilize Moldova,'" is to engage Chisinau in a tough confrontation with Moscow.

Meanwhile, Moscow said that Ukraine is preparing an "armed provocation" against Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Moldova but currently controlled by pro-Russian separatists.

In response, the Moldovan government said in a statement that authorities do not confirm the claims made by Russia.