The EU is turning into a military bloc, and Moldovan soldiers will be used as cannon fodder in the war in Ukraine, reads a false narrative carried by the Russian media
NEWS: In Moldova, earlier this year, energy tariffs increased by a third, which led to higher prices of foodstuffs, industrial goods and medical services. Experts term this increase as shocking, given that prices in the country were already unaffordable for many. Against the background of the impoverishment of the population and the drop in industrial production and jobs, the authorities are increasing the salaries of civil servants and hiring in public institutions former collaborators of NGOs that no longer get American funding. In Chisinau, for example, a liaison office with the European Parliament is opening.
Sergey Tkaci: Yes, the authorities talk about achievements in the field of economy, domestic and foreign policy. But, upon a closer analysis, these “achievements” are just empty words. For example, the increase in pensions. Indeed, pensions have increased significantly since 2021. The Minister of Social Protection, Alexei Buzu, says that in 2024 “the average old-age pension, after indexation, reached 3,926 lei, which is 90% more than on January 1, 2021”. But we know that the prices of bread, gas and electricity have increased at an even faster pace. And the fact that many people need compensation to pay their bills is evidence of a precarious situation.
If the average pension is 3,926 lei, and the gas bill reaches 3,500 lei, can this be considered an achievement? There's no point in even talking about the economy, because the experts' estimates are bleak.
[…] And now, as they say, “the icing on the cake”. The main goal of the current government is accession to the EU. But today the EU is already a military alliance that is preparing, one way or another, for a war with Russia. So, is our country’s participation in a conflict with Russia a worthy goal? No, it’s madness.
[…] Serghei Tkaci: This policy will lead to the destruction of the Republic of Moldova. The country is being used as a bargaining chip in the confrontation with Russia, but also with the new US administration. If Russia and the US manage to reach an agreement on the situation in Ukraine, Moldova will lose. If they fail – the result will be the same, only it will be postponed.
[…] Sergey Tkaci: The current government does not hesitate to use force, which it constantly demonstrates. Among other things, by persecuting opposition politicians, fabricating criminal cases, blocking the activities of inconvenient journalists, and exerting pressure on Gagauzia and Transnistria.
If neighboring Ukraine were to collapse uncontrollably, or if the election results were not to the liking of the current regime's Western protectors, then the skills of maintaining public order might indeed be needed. But for now, the situation is tightly controlled by the authorities, and calls for protests are not even present on social media.
NARRATIVES: 1. The well-being of the population is not increasing, despite the increase in pensions and salaries. 2. The European Union is a military bloc, which is preparing for war with Russia. 3. Moldovans will be used as cannon fodder in the war in Ukraine. 4. In the Republic of Moldova there is an authoritarian regime that persecutes the opposition and does not allow anti-government protests.
PURPOSE: To manipulate and disinform the population in order to destabilize the Republic of Moldova and prevent its rapprochement with the European Union. To associate the EU with an aggressive military alliance, to create fear and opposition to European integration. To create panic through speculation about the involvement of citizens in the war in Ukraine.
WHY THE NARRATIVES ARE FALSE: Claims about the lack of improvement in living standards are contradicted by official statistics. Although Moldova faces major economic challenges and remains among the poorest countries in Europe, increases in pensions and wages and subsidies for bills are contributing to improving the living standards. For example, in 2021, the average pension exceeded the minimum consumption basket for pensioners by only about 15 euros, according to statistical data. In 2025, it would be about 50 euros higher. In 2021, the GDP per capita was 4,457 euros, in 2023 - 6,288 (data for 2024 have not yet been published). The GDP per capita by purchasing power parity has also increased - from 16,380 to almost 21,000 dollars.
The claim that the EU is turning into a military bloc most likely stems from the ReArm Europe plan, proposed by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of the EU member states in the context of threats from Russia and the Trump administration's distancing itself from ensuring security within NATO. However, increasing the defense capabilities of the member states does not turn the EU into a military bloc.
Veridica has already debunked the false narrative about how the Republic of Moldova is forced to send troops to Ukraine. The Republic of Moldova is a neutral state, a status respected by the EU and NATO countries, which reiterated this in the final declaration of the North Atlantic Summit in Vilnius.
In the Republic of Moldova, there are opposition politicians with criminal records, most of them for corruption, but protests or calls for protests are not prohibited and are launched on social media . Railway employees have organized several protest actions in the last month, farmers protest periodically, as do other segments of society, as in any democratic state.
LOCAL CONTEXT/ETHOS: The Republic of Moldova is considered one of the poorest countries in Europe, where the average pension is around 200 euros and the average salary is around 700 euros. The consequences of the war in Ukraine have made it even more vulnerable; however, the income of the population has increased significantly in recent years.
Since 2021, the country has been governed by pro-European forces, who managed to obtain the status of a candidate country for accession and launch negotiations. However, part of the population opposes this process, and a referendum on European integration was narrowly voted, in October 2024. Early parliamentary elections are due this year, and Russia, through loyal politicians and propaganda, is trying to divert the European path of the Republic of Moldova.
