February 13 (SeeNews) - Moldova’s president Maia Sandu said on Monday Russia is planning a coup d'etat which would put the government in Chisinau “at Russia’s disposal” and halt the country's EU integration process.
Moldovan institutions have confirmed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s statements made last week that Russia has a plan to destabilise Moldova, Sandu told a news briefing.
The plan would involve subversives with military training, camouflaged as civilians, who would undertake violent actions, attack some state buildings, and even take hostages, Sandu told reporters.
The plot involves forcing a change of power in Chisinau “through violent actions disguised as protests of the so-called opposition,” using Russian, Belarusian, Serbian and Montenegrin citizens, as well as local criminal groups, war veterans, ex-law enforcement authorities, and people known for their connections to the fugitive ex-leader of Moldova’s former governing Democratic Party, Vladimir Plahtoniuc, Sandu added.
“To prevent this scenario, I ask all state institutions to show maximum vigilance. The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova must adopt as soon as possible draft laws that will provide the Information and Security Service (SIS) and the prosecutor’s office with the necessary instruments to efficiently combat national security risks,” Sandu said.
On Friday Sandu named Dorin Recean as candidate for prime minister, following the resignation of Natalia Gavrilita and her cabinet earlier in the day. Igor Rosu, the leader of the biggest parliamentary group has pledged support for the nomination.
Moldova, which aspires to join the EU by 2030, has been faced with several ripple effects from Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, including geopolitical threats and missiles traversing its airspace.