While the United States sees no imminent military threat from Russia in Moldova, the White House believes Moscow is trying to destabilize the country to install a more pro-Russian government, John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokesperson, said in a briefing, as reported by Reuters and AFP.

“We believe Russia is pursuing options to weaken the Moldovan government probably with the eventual goal of seeing a more Russian friendly administration in the capital”, Kirby was quoted as saying.

“More specifically, Russian actors, some with current ties to Russian intelligence, are seeking to stage and use protests in Moldova as a basis to foment and manufacture insurrection against the Moldovan government”, the White House official added.

The United States will take a range of steps in response to Russian attempts to destabilize Moldova, including building on the information Moldovan government has and working with the U.S. Congress to provide Moldova an additional $300 million in energy assistance to address urgent needs because of the war in Ukraine.

The Biden administration also believes that Russia is trying to spread disinformation about the overall stability in Moldova, including through false claims that Ukraine is preparing to invade the Transnistrian region.