Russia’s 10-year plan to destabilize Ukraine’s neighbor Moldova revealed in secret document
A secret plan drawn up by Russia’s security service, the FSB, spells out options to destabilize Moldova, including supporting pro-Russian groups, using the Orthodox Church and threatening to cut off natural gas supplies.
The document appears to have been drafted to thwart Moldova’s inclination towards the West, which includes rapprochement with NATO and applying for European Union membership. Reference is made repeatedly to the importance of preventing Moldova from joining NATO.
It was obtained and first reported by a consortium of media outlets, including VSquare and Frontstory, RISE Moldova, Expressen in Sweden, the Dossier Center for Investigative Journalism, and others.
CNN saw the full document, which appears to have been drafted in 2021 by the FSB’s Directorate for Cross-Border Cooperation. Its title is “Strategic Objectives of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova.”
The document sets out a 10-year strategy to bring Moldova, a former Soviet republic located between Ukraine and Romania, into Russia’s sphere of influence.
The plan includes making Moldova dependent on Russian gas imports and stirring up social unrest, as well as trying to block Moldovan efforts to gain influence in the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria, where some 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed.
Border with Ukraine: Russia has accused Ukraine of planning to invade and seize Transnistria, which borders southwestern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry stated last month that the Ukrainians were gathering armor in several border towns. Both Moldova and Ukraine have denied the accusation.
Russia’s response: Asked about the document on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We know nothing of the existence of such a plan. I do not rule out that it is another forgery. Russia has always been and remains open to establishing relations of good neighborly and mutually beneficial, also with Moldova”.
Peskov added: “We are very sorry that the current leadership of Moldova has totally unjustified and unfounded prejudices against Moscow.”