Kremlin rhetoric and Russian state media continue to encourage pro-Russian separatists in the Republic of Moldova, possibly in an effort to sow political instability and division, he wrote. Institute for the Study of War he reports in his latest assessment of the war in Ukraine Independent Kyiv.

Vadym Krasnoselskyi, president of the Russian-backed separatist republic of Transnistria, told reporters from the Russian state news agency TASS that increasing “militarization” of Moldova threatens Transnistria.

Over the past year, the Moldovan government has increased its military budget, participated in joint exercises with NATO, and received military aid from European powers to defend itself against further military incursions by Russia.

“When our neighbor, with whom there has been an unresolved conflict for more than 30 years and treacherously attacked our peaceful cities in the past, suddenly rushes to arm itself, it is, of course, a threat,” Krasnoselskyi said.

Transnistria is a separatist region, internationally recognized as part of Moldova. Russian troops have occupied Transnistria since the early 1990s, when Russia invaded the region under the pretext of protecting ethnic Russians.

Krasnoselskii also rejected the idea that Moldova could increase its military potential as a way to defend against Russia. He also stated that Moldova “constantly follows the path of escalation” and threatened that Moldova “is responsible for the inevitable consequences that follow.”

He also stated that Moldova “treacherously attacked peaceful cities.” [Transnistriei] in the past” and committed “massive” violations of human rights.

In a preliminary assessment, ISW found that Russia is slowly building an information space aimed at destabilizing Moldova and justifying any future campaigns by portraying Russia as the protector of “threatened Russian-speakers” in Moldova. This approach is almost identical to the narratives constructed by Russia to justify its large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In 2018, Krasnoselsky also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Transnistria eventually becomes part of Russia.

General David Petraeus, former CIA director and former head of international forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, said last week that President Vladimir Putin “will not stop there” if Russia wins in Ukraine and the Republic of “Moldova will be next in line, or maybe one of the Baltic countries”.

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