NARRATIVES: 1. Lethal weapons and NATO troops will arrive in the Republic of Moldova. 2. Maia Sandu and her foreign masters want Moldova to be the next Ukraine, while Moldovans will be used as cannon fodder in their geopolitical struggle. 3. The military and political annexation of Moldova to Romania is being planned, renouncing Moldova’s neutrality. 4. People are outraged and protests are inevitable. 5. If the Socialists had been in power, the Republic of Moldova would not have been targeted by any military risk.
BACKGROUND: “The war in Ukraine and the increase in energy prices on global markets have impacted the economy of the Republic of Moldova, a country currently facing soaring inflation, which exceeded 29% in May, and a rampant 17% increase in prices since the start of the year.
At the same time, the risk of a military escalation in the separatist region of Transnistria remains high. The breakaway region is home to Russian troops that might get involved in the conflict in Ukraine. There’s an equally high risk to destabilize Moldovan politics, with the contribution of pro-Russian factions. In this context, the government admitted that the national army is underequipped and started speaking about the need to modernize the properly equip the army.
At the meeting of the Republican Council of PSRM of June 4, the Party of Socialists announced it would start procedures to file a vote of no-confidence against PAS, a party it described as “useless and malicious”. The Socialists have called on the population to protest, trying to stage rallies in certain towns. Citizens however remain passive to PSRM’s calls. The Bloc of Communists and Socialists doesn’t have the number of votes in Parliament to oust the PAS Cabinet.
Former pro-Russian president, Igor Dodon, is being investigated for corruption, illegal party funding, unjust enrichment, but also treason. He was detained at the end of last month and has been in house arrest ever since.
PURPOSE: The narratives are designed to destabilize the Republic of Moldova, a country seriously affected by the war in Ukraine. At the same time, Igor Dodon, a pro-Russian politician, is trying to regain favor with the Kremlin after his party lost the elections in the Republic of Moldova.
WHY THE NARRATIVES ARE FALSE: Chișinău authorities have brought up the issue of modernizing the National Army, but they merely referred to defensive, non-lethal equipment, considering that the security and defense system has been neglected and needs investment. There are no NATO troops on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and Chișinău hasn’t made any request to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Part of the territory of the Republic of Moldova is de facto controlled by a Moscow-backed separatist regime. The Russian troops illegally stationed on the left-hand side of the Dniester are breaching the neutrality of the Republic of Moldova, which Igor Dodon refers to. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Chișinău authorities have constantly referred to this provision in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova and have made no statements regarding their willingness to renounce neutrality.
The narratives about the West wanting to drag Moldova into a geopolitical fight against Russia are part of the Kremlin’s war propaganda. The Republic of Moldova is a small country without the military resources and manpower to wage a war, and Chișinău doesn’t even have defensive capabilities in the event of an attack, even from the region of Transnistria.
As regards the narratives about the unification with Romania, although many in Moldova support this move, they only account for a minority. At the same time, there are no unionist parties in the Moldova Parliament. The myth about Maia Sandu’s administration’s plans to push for unification with Romania has been intensely promoted by the Socialist-controlled media.
Igor Dodon’s statements were also picked up by Russian state media. On the other hand, the Kremlin claims it has no information about Moldova’s plans to unite with Romania.
Regarding Igor Dodon’s statements about the disgruntled people and the inevitable protests, it is only natural that an increase in prices should cause social unrest, although there has been no massive anti-government protest so far, merely some protest actions organized by the Socialists and Shor Party, attended by a low number of representatives and supporters of these political parties. Soaring prices and the energy crisis are a consequence of the developments on international markets. Moreover, Moldova’s total reliance on energy imports from the Russian Federation is the result of the policy-making of past governments, including Socialist and Communist Cabinets, much like the economic model based on consumer goods, most of which are imported.
GRAIN OF TRUTH: Prices for certain goods and utility bills have increased considerably in the Republic of Moldova.
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