Moscow plans to move troops to Odessa from the Transnistrian side, thereby encircling Ukraine. This was stated by NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, speaking before the International Security Conference in Munich, quoted by Moldova 1.
According to Joana, now Russia does not have enough forces to implement this plan. However, he noted, Moscow is trying to deepen the split in Moldovan society, thereby hindering the country’s pro-European vector.
“Russia has neither the intention nor the ability to start a war against NATO, it has enough problems in Ukraine, and we must help Ukraine create them (Russia. – TMT) even more problems. We must be very aware and avoid the risk of escalation,” said the NATO spokesman.
The current Russian rhetoric comes from weakness, not strength, Joané believes.
On Monday, February 13, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that Russia aims to overthrow the current pro-European government in the country. To do this, Moscow plans to send saboteurs to Moldova to attack administrative buildings and take hostages.
In early February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Moldova “the next Ukraine”, whose president “is eager to join NATO” and wants to “unite with Romania.” Alexei Polishchuk, Director of the Second Department of the CIS Countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry , noted that Moldova’s cooperation with NATO and the European Union “is gradually moving into a practical phase” and is causing concern in Moscow.
The Munich Security Conference will be held in Germany from 17 to 19 February. About 40 heads of state and government, about 90 ministers and several heads of international organizations will arrive here.
Leaders attending Munich will include French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyiv Dmitry Kuleba will also take part in the event.
The presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US Vice President Kamala Harris remains in doubt. Representatives of Russia and Iran were excluded from the list of invitees.
Source: The Moscow Times
