A secret plan drawn up by Russia's FSB details options for destabilizing Moldova, including support for pro-Russian groups, the use of the Orthodox Church, and the threat of cutting off natural gas supplies.
Source. CNN writes about the secret document.
The document was drawn up in 2021 to prevent Moldova from joining NATO and the European Union. Its title is "Strategic Objectives of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova".
It was obtained and first made public by a consortium of media outlets including VSquare and Frontstory, RISE Moldova, Expressen in Sweden, the Dossier Center for Investigative Journalism, Yahoo News, and Delfi.
The document outlines a 10-year strategy to bring Moldova into Russia's sphere of influence.
The plan includes increasing Moldova's dependence on Russian gas imports and fomenting social conflict, as well as attempting to block Moldova's attempts to gain influence in pro-Russian Transnistria, where about 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed.
The five-page document is divided into several headings with short-, medium-, and long-term goals.
The short-term goals include: "support for Moldovan political forces that advocate constructive relations with the Russian Federation" and "neutralization of the Republic of Moldova's initiatives aimed at eliminating the Russian military presence in Transnistria."
Medium-term goals include "counteracting Romania's expansionist policy in the Republic of Moldova" and "counteracting cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and NATO."
Long-term goals include the creation of stable pro-Russian groups of influence in Moldovan political and economic elites and the formation of a negative attitude toward NATO.
In recent weeks, Moldovan authorities have arrested several pro-Russian activists, as well as a member of the Wagner PMC, who were trying to infiltrate the country.
Ukraine and the United States have warned of Russian attempts to destabilize the Moldovan government. Last Friday, the White House said that "Russian actors, some of whom are now linked to Russian intelligence, are seeking to stage and use protests in Moldova as a basis for fomenting a fabricated uprising against the Moldovan government."
Background. As reported, Moldova will reconsider its position on sanctions against Russia and join most of them.