The Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Dorin Rechan, said on Monday that his country needs a modern air defense system to counter threats from Russia, intensified by Moscow’s incursion into Ukraine, its eastern neighbor, Reuters reported.

Recean made the announcement in a television interview three days after the Republic of Moldova’s parliament approved a new security strategy that identifies Moscow as the biggest security threat to the country and its pro-European government.

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accused the Kremlin of conspiring to remove her from power.

Last week, the European Union agreed to start discussions on the accession of both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. But, unlike Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova has a neutral status enshrined in the Constitution, and does not aspire to join the North Atlantic Alliance.

Recan said that the Republic of Moldova intends to acquire a modern air defense system with the help of its EU and NATO allies to protect its airports and basic infrastructure.

“If the Kremlin decides to attack us, what will we do?” Rechan said in an interview with TV8. “Neutrality will not protect Moldova,” he added.

Recean said that developed countries are “investing in their security to ensure that their citizens and companies feel safe. If it doesn’t exist, people leave and take their capital with them. This is happening now in Moldova.”

The Republic of Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe, currently has only a rudimentary air defense system left over from Soviet times, Reuters notes.

Ukraine has identified improving its air defenses as a critical element in countering what is expected to be a new wave of Russian airstrikes against its energy complexes and other infrastructure, as happened repeatedly last winter.

Rechan reiterated the main thesis of the new security strategy, which highlights Russia as the biggest threat facing his country.

“The threat to our security is the Kremlin, the Russian Federation and how they treat our neighbors and us,” he told TV8.

He noted that Russia suspended imports of key agricultural goods from the Republic of Moldova this month, and cited a decree signed Monday by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin that eases the procedure for Moldovan citizens to obtain Russian ones. This, according to him, is “an attempt to recruit cannon fodder for its war in Ukraine.” (Agerpress)