Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine a good year ago, Moscow allegedly already had the intention of tying the Southeast European country of Moldova to itself. WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung have a detailed plan that supposedly comes from the Kremlin and is supposed to show exactly that. The strategic plan was passed to an international media consortium, including the three German media.
The five-page document has existed since the summer of 2021. Specifically, it is about promoting pro-Russian tendencies and at the same time preventing the country from orienting itself towards the west. According to the paper, Russia wants to exert influence in Moldova, among other things, in the political, military, economic and social spheres. The document apparently comes from the same expert who is said to have drawn up a draft for the annexation of Belarus by Russia.
One of Moscow’s central goals for the next ten years: “counteracting attempts by external actors” and “interfering in the internal affairs of the republic”. This is intended to avert a weakening of Russia by NATO.
To achieve this, Russian media should increase their presence in the small state between Ukraine and Romania. In the long term, a “negative attitude towards NATO” is to be spread in the country. In addition, according to the paper, Moscow aims to influence education in Moldova. Accordingly, distance learning in Russian is to be expanded and Russian universities are to open positions in the country.
Russia also wants to put Moldova under economic pressure by using “Moldova’s interest in the Russian sales market” for itself. This is to prevent “damaging Russian interests in the region.” According to the strategic plan, Russia also apparently wants to support Moldova, which is striving for membership in the EU, in its participation in associations. Specifically, it is about the organization of the Collective Security Treaty (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The Kremlin also wants to stop Moldova’s pressure on the presence of Russian soldiers in the breakaway region of Transnistria within a few years. They have been stationed there since 1992 – shortly after Moldova declared its independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
A few days ago, the USA also accused Moscow of wanting to destabilize the Republic of Moldova. “Russia is pursuing ways to weaken the Moldovan government, presumably with the aim of creating a more pro-Russian government,” said National Security Council communications director John Kirby.
Sources: Tagesschau, with material from the dpa
