Moldova’s president accuses Russia of plotting coup

Moscow, Feb 13 (EFE).- Moldova’s president accused Russia of plotting a coup on Monday, following claims from Ukraine’s president that Moscow was planning to destabilize the former Soviet state.

Maia Sandu claimed Monday that Russia was coordinating a coup in Moldova with the help of foreign citizens who have undergone military training.

“Through violent actions, masked as protests of the so-called opposition, the change of power in Chisinau would be forced,” Sandu told a press briefing.

The Moldovan leader added that the nation’s intelligence agency had reviewed documents sent from “Ukrainian partners” that “demonstrate a good documentation of the locations and logistical aspects for the organization of these subversive activities.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of Moscow’s plans to destabilize the former soviet state during an address at the European Parliament last week.

“The plan involves the use of people from outside the country for violent actions. For example, the materials contain instructions on the rules of entry into the Republic of Moldova for citizens of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro,” Sandu said.

Russia was also looking to deploy criminal groups to execute its plan, she added.

“The purpose of these actions is to overthrow the constitutional order, to change the legitimate power from Chisinau to an illegitimate one, which would put our country at the disposal of Russia,” Sandu warned.

Key to Russia’s motives is thwarting Moldova’s European Union integration process and securing power over Chisinau so the country can be used in Russian president Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine, the head of state said.

Sandu said that state security agencies were working to prevent the provocations and to keep the situation under control.

The Moldovan president urged parliament to swiftly adopt “the draft laws that will provide the Security and Intelligence Service and the prosecutor’s office with the necessary tools to combat the risks to the country’s security more effectively.”

Sandu vowed to hold any participant in the Kremlin’s plans in Moldova accountable.

“The Kremlin’s attempts to bring violence to our country will not succeed. Let’s keep calm. Let’s believe in the Republic of Moldova,” she said. EFE

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