DISINFO: Moldova is preparing for a military provocation against Russia with French encouragement
SUMMARY
It is likely that Moldova is preparing for military provocation, which would cause suffering to its people and plunge the country into crisis. [...] suddenly, within 30 years, France has become one of the main political partners of the Moldovan authorities. At the same time, the military sphere has suddenly become a priority, and this cannot but raise suspicions.
The last thing Moldova needs, amidst serious demographic, social, and economic problems, is weapons and the presence of foreign soldiers unfamiliar with the region's history. [...]there is a very disturbing possibility of a provocation being prepared using Moldovan territory, and even its citizens.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Moldova is acting under the control of foreign partners.
The Moldovan authorities stated their adherence to a peaceful solution in Transnistria and ruled out the use of non-defensive force.
After the full-scale Russian invasion against Ukraine, the Moldovan authorities declared that the National Army should improve its defense capacities, as well as its equipment. That is also stated in the draft of the National Security Strategy, presented by the president Maia Sandu in November 2023.
The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova announced that it had increased the defense budget for 2023 by two thirds (68%) compared to the previous year.
The prime minister Dorin Recean declared in May 2023 that the country will continue to improve its military capacities exclusively for defense purposes. In one of his latest statements, on December 8, Dorin Recean said that Moldova will manage only a peaceful regulation of the Transnistrian conflict.
See here similar cases that the West can create another hot spot in Transnistria to divert Russian forces; that the US and NATO arming Moldova in hope of new Transnistria conflict; that the Moldovan authorities are preparing for an armed conflict with Russia; and that Moldovan President Maia Sandu is preparing Moldova for war, calling Russia the main security threat.