NATO turning ex-Soviet state into logistics hub for Kiev – Moscow

Chisinau is forcing alignment with the US-led military bloc on Moldova’s dissenting population, the Russian Foreign Ministry has claimed

Moldova could be turned into a NATO logistics hub for Ukraine, risking a war on its soil, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakhariva has said. She warned citizens of the post-Soviet state against letting their pro-Western government drag their country into the US-led military bloc.

The Russian diplomat rebuked Moldovan officials during a regular media briefing on Thursday, disputing their claims that Moscow is directing “propaganda” at their nation. On the contrary, its current leaders, many of whom are Romanian citizens, are opposing the public will with their policies, she claimed.

“Despite the fact that the majority of Moldovans are against getting closer to NATO, the government keeps pushing the republic closer to the alliance. Officials state that remaining its trusted partner is a priority,” Zakharova said.

In practice, it means “turning the country at a rapid pace into a logistics hub used to supply the Ukrainian armed forces,” she added.

Read more

The price of manipulation: What’s next for this country after a stolen election?

Zakharova pointed to the EU’s “solidarity lanes” program, which is touted as a way to bolster Ukrainian commercial traffic through neighboring states, including Moldova. Brussels has pledged €32 million ($33.7 million) worth of investments into the Moldovan railroads earlier this month under the framework. The Russian official suggested that the infrastructure buildup would have military ramifications, saying that the Western goal is to “keep escalating the situation in the region.”

“Citizens of Moldova do not believe in the things that are being imposed on them and know who poses an actual threat to their country and who is their friend,” Zakharova asserted.

In October and November, Moldova held a presidential election, which incumbent Maia Sandu won in the second round. She also scored a political victory when a parallel vote supported the country’s integration with the EU.

READ MORE: Western threats come at a cost – Russia’s spy chief

Moscow has accused the Sandu government of silencing opposition voices through a media crackdown and suppressing the voting of the Moldovan diaspora in Russia. This amounted to rigging the process in her favor, likely distorting outcomes on both issues, Russian officials have claimed.