Russia is trying to generate a security crisis in the Republic of Moldova, using energy as a strategic weapon, Prime Minister Dorin Recean stated in the program "In Depth" on ProTV Chisinau. According to the official, Moscow's objective is to provoke a humanitarian crisis in the Transnistrian region, which would later escalate into a national security crisis, IPN reports.
Dorin Recean stressed that Russia's strategy is aimed at influencing the results of this autumn’s parliamentary elections. A pro-Kremlin administration in Chisinau would facilitate the strengthening of the Russian military presence on the left bank of the Nistru, which could lead to an attack on Ukraine from the Transnistrian region.
"I will explain how they want to do this. The moment they sufficiently destabilize the Republic of Moldova with this weapon – energy – they will first cause a humanitarian crisis on the left bank of the Nistru and then this crisis will turn into a security crisis in the security zone and throughout the Republic of Moldova. Thus, it is intended to influence the autumn elections so that the Russians can supplement their military troops from the left bank of the Nistru and strengthen their military capacity to be able to attack Ukraine from the left bank of the Nistru,” said the official.
Dorin Recean warned that if a pro-Russian government is eventually installed in Chisinau, Russia will be able to ensure the maintenance of the weapons stored on the left bank of the Nistru, especially in the Cobasna depot, which is considered one of the largest ammunition depots in Eastern Europe.
"There is a military force that can change the fate of the war in Ukraine, which consists of almost 10,000 soldiers. Correspondingly, they could bring military equipment that would allow to maintain the equipment that is now stored on the left bank of the Nistru. Let's not forget about the Cobasna depot. Out of 20,000 tonnes of ammunition, about 30% or about 6,000 tonnes of ammunition are still usable," said Dorin Recean.
He confirmed that he had a discussion with the Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky, after the latter return from Moscow. Dorin Recean noted that he has discussions with the Transnistrian leader only when "there is potential for the escalation of the situation."
