Russia’s spy agency: NATO preparing to involve Moldova in conflict with Russia

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has claimed that NATO is preparing to use Moldova as a forward base in a potential military confrontation with Russia.

According to the SVR, NATO is allegedly working to transform Moldovan territory into a logistical corridor for the rapid deployment of alliance troops towards Russian borders, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“NATO is actively preparing to involve Moldova in a likely armed conflict with Russia,” the statement reads. “Efforts are underway to adapt Moldova’s infrastructure for swift operational movement of alliance forces.”

The SVR further asserts that NATO’s Brussels leadership has decided to accelerate Moldova’s transformation into a "frontline stronghold" on the alliance’s eastern flank, citing the ongoing advance of Russian forces in Ukraine.

The agency claims that NATO instructors have been flooding Moldova’s military structures and that training centres aligned with NATO doctrine are being established. Moldova’s army, it says, is being adapted to alliance combat concepts under external pressure.

The SVR also strongly criticised Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s government, accusing it of compliance with Western demands in exchange for political and financial backing. According to the SVR, Sandu’s pro-European party, Action and Solidarity, is counting on NATO states to support its campaign in Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 28.

The agency suggested that if Sandu’s party succeeds in the vote, she may attempt to overturn Moldova’s constitutionally enshrined neutral status, a move that the SVR described as the “beginning of the end” for the country.

SVR also alleged that President Sandu—who holds Romanian citizenship—is steering Moldova closer to NATO and to possible unification with Romania. The agency accused her of attempting to “hand Moldova over to NATO,” claiming this could result in Moldova being “ground down” in a confrontation with Russia.

To recall, Moldova is due to hold parliamentary elections on September 28. While the president’s powers are limited under Moldova’s constitution, the executive authority lies primarily with the government, which is formed by the parliamentary majority.

In October 2024, President Maia Sandu lost the first round of the presidential election to Socialist-backed former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo.

However, she secured re-election in the second round, with significant support from over 300,000 Moldovan migrant workers voting abroad, primarily at polling stations across the EU.

Leaders of several opposition parties have since challenged the legitimacy of the result, accusing Sandu of electoral fraud and relying on Western funding to retain power. They have refused to recognise her re-election.

By Aghakazim Guliyev