Moldova is not facing an “immediate military danger” but a “hybrid war” led by Moscow to “overthrow” the pro-European government, the defense minister said in an interview with AFP on Monday.

In recent weeks, the former Soviet republic, neighboring Ukraine, whose European ambitions are viewed with suspicion by the Kremlin, has experienced renewed concern.

“There is currently no immediate military danger against Moldova, but there are other types of risks that affect security,” Anatoly Nosatiy told AFP from his office in Chisinau.

He referred to “disinformation, public tension generated by Russia,” a “set of challenges” aimed at sowing chaos and “changing the political order.”

On Sunday, the Republic of Moldova announced the arrest of members of a network suspected of being organized by Moscow.

Moldovan police chief Viorel Cherneutsyan said during a morning press conference that the authorities have more information about the plan to destabilize the situation after an agent infiltrated the Moscow-led organization.

Since Saturday, the police said they had information that during Sunday’s protest action, mass destabilization and unrest were planned in the context of the protests organized by Ilan Shor’s party on Sunday in Chisinau.

Marina Tauber, vice president of Ilana Shor’s party, was the most active leader of the demonstration, leading the march to the designated protest site and giving several speeches.

1,500 Russian troops in Transnistria

The White House charged on Friday that Moscow “seeks to weaken the government of the Republic of Moldova” in order to install a government favorable to its cause.

Last month, Russia denied any coup plot, denouncing the allegations as “absolutely baseless and unproven”.

At the center of concern is the separatist pro-Russian region of Transnistria, where Russia has about 1,500 troops and large stocks of Russian ammunition.

The minister again called for the demilitarization of the territory. “We have constantly demanded the unconditional evacuation of Russian forces illegally stationed on the territory of the Republic of Moldova,” he said.

Recently, the Kremlin criticized “anti-Russian hysteria” after similar statements by Prime Minister Dorin Rechan.

Transnistria, populated by a Russian-speaking population and home to key industries (energy, steel, cement), de facto seceded from Moldova in 1992 after a brief war.

“The situation there is stable and under control,” despite the latest comments from Moscow and local authorities, assured Anatoly Nosatiy.

The leader of the separatists, Vadym Krasnoselskyi, said last week that Ukraine was preparing a terrorist plot against several high-ranking officials in the territory of the separatists. Kyiv condemned the “provocation” inspired by the Kremlin.

Energy blackmail

In this “hybrid war”, the economic aspect plays an important role, the 50-year-old Moldovan official added. For several months, Chisinau has been condemning the “energy blackmail of Russia”, which cut gas supplies in half.

Nosatiy also spoke about the repeated “violation of airspace” by missiles aimed at Ukraine, and Moldova does not have sophisticated means of detecting them.

Having an army of 6,500 soldiers, with equipment from Soviet times, the country needs to “revise the entire defense system”, which requires “time and funding”, stressed Anatoly Nosatiy.

The task is not easy in this country of 2.6 million inhabitants, one of the poorest in Europe.

Faced with these challenges, Anatoliy Nosatiy welcomed the support of the European Union (EU), which granted the country candidate status in June 2022 and provided it with significant financial aid since the war began.

“Moldova is not alone and will not be alone in the face of dangers and threats, including military ones,” he insisted, asking Europe to “remain united and resolute in its assistance to Ukraine” and protection of its “peace and security.” “