Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii specifically mentions “disinformation” and a “series of provocations” to “change the political order”.
By Le Figaro with AFP
Published 2023-03-13 at 3:53 PM, Updated 2023-03-13 at 3:57 PM
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Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii during an interview with AFP at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Chisinau, Moldova, March 13, 2023. DANIEL MIHAILESCU / AFP
Moldova faces not an “imminent military threat” but a “hybrid war” being waged by Moscow to “overthrow power” in a pro-European way, Moldova’s Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii said Monday, April 13. March, in an interview with AFP.
Fears have surfaced again in recent weeks in neighboring Ukraine, the former Soviet republic whose European ambitions the Kremlin views with suspicion.
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A Russian destabilization
“There is currently no immediate military threat against Moldova, but there are other types of risks affecting security,” said Anatolie Nosatii, who was interviewed at his office in Chisinau. He referred to “misinformation, tensions in society created by Russia”, “a series of provocations” aimed at sowing chaos and “changing the political order”.
The day before, police announced the arrest of members of a network they suspect of being orchestrated by Moscow. The alleged troublemakers are accused of trying to destabilize the country by intervening in the anti-government demonstrations that regularly rock the Moldovan capital.
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The Transnistria question
The White House on Friday, March 10, accused Moscow of “trying to weaken the government of Moldova” with the goal of installing a government there won over to its cause. Russia last month denied any coup plans and condemned claims that they were “absolutely baseless and without any evidence”.
The focus of concern is the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria, where Russia has about 1,500 troops and a large stockpile of Russian ammunition. The minister again called for the area to be demilitarized. “We consistently called for the unconditional evacuation of Russian forces illegally stationed on Moldovan territory,” he said.
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“The situation there is stable and under control.”
Anatolie Nosatii, Minister of Defense of Moldova
The Kremlin recently castigated “anti-Russian hysteria” after similar statements by Prime Minister Dorin Recean. Transnistria, populated by Russian speakers and home to key industries (energy, steel, cement), de facto broke away from Moldova in 1992 after a brief war.
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“The situation there is stable and under control,” Anatolie Nosatii assured, despite recent comments from Moscow and local authorities. Separatist leader Vadim Krasnosselskiï said last week that Ukraine had hatched an attack plan against several high-ranking officials in the separatist area. Kiev had denounced a Kremlin-inspired “provocation”. In this “hybrid war,” the economic aspect plays an important role, the 50-year-old Moldovan official added. Chisinau has been denouncing “Russia’s energy blackmail” for several months, which has halved its gas supplies.
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A decrepit defense system
Anatolia Nosatii also repeatedly complained about “violation of airspace” by missiles aimed at Ukraine, while Moldova does not have sophisticated detection means. With an army of 6,500 soldiers, with dilapidated Soviet-era equipment, the country needs to “review the entire defense system,” which will take “time and funding,” stressed Anatolie Nosatii.
The task is not easy in this country of 2.6 million people, which is among the poorest in Europe. Faced with these challenges, Anatolie Nosatii welcomed the support of the European Union (EU), which granted the country candidate status in June 2022 and has provided significant financial support since the war began. “Moldova is not alone and will not be alone in the face of dangers and threats, including military ones,” he stressed, calling on Europe “to remain united and resolute in its assistance to Ukraine” and to defend “peace and security”. .
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