Posted on 02/02/2023 4:20:54 PM PST by familyop
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov referred to Moldova as “the next Ukraine" in a criticism of the Black Sea state that stokes Moldovan anxiety about the prospect of an attack from Russia.
"We categorically reject the statement by the head of Russian diplomacy, which does not correspond to reality, and is part of the already well-known threatening rhetoric of Russian diplomacy,” the Moldovan Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Lavrov drew the analogy as Moscow renews its attempt to characterize its invasion of Ukraine as a defensive struggle against fascist ideology. Russia has maintained a military presence in Moldova over the objections of the Moldovan government, a dispute that could provide kindling for another crisis, spurring Moldova to seek deeper ties with U.S. and European governments.
"The West has already set its sights on the Republic of Moldova,” Lavrov told state media, saying that Moldova has “a president who wants to join NATO, has Romanian citizenship, is ready to unite with Romania and, in general, she is ready for almost anything.”
The territory of modern Moldova was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, but Moldova and Romania, a member of NATO, have long-standing social and cultural ties stemming in part from their common background as part of the former Kingdom of Romania. Moldova has a neutrality clause in its constitution, but Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of trying to use “corrupt groups and some political groups to destabilize” her country.
“There is a serious discussion in the society, about our capacity to defend ourselves — whether we can do it ourselves, or whether we should be part of a larger alliance,” Sandu told Politico’s EU Confidential podcast. “It’s not Moldova which started a war against its neighbors ... Now that we see the Russian aggression against Ukraine, we understand how serious this is, and we understand that we need to make the defense sector a priority.”
Moldovan intelligence officials have suggested that the Kremlin might try to seize the entire Ukrainian coastline on the Black Sea in order to create a corridor that links mainland Russia with the disputed territories of Moldova.
“The question is not whether the Russian Federation will launch a new offensive in the direction of Moldovan territory, but when it will happen: either at the beginning of the year, in January, February, or later, in March, (or) April,” Moldovan spy chief Alexandru Musteata said in December. “What will follow — their intentions towards Chisinau — we can discuss. But this is a real and very high risk.”
Lavrov’s comments come a week after Putin’s allies in the Russian parliament issued their own warnings.
"If Moldova wants to destroy its own state, this is the best way,” Russian lawmaker Leonid Kalashnikov said, referring to the idea of Moldova’s membership in NATO. “If they think that, like Finland or Sweden, secretly, quickly, taking advantage of the situation, they can join NATO and that nothing will happen to them for this in their own country, they should remember something else. The fact that Finland has two official languages and respects its people.”
Moldova has applied to join the European Union, which is an economic and political bloc, not the military alliance that is NATO.
“Joining the EU is our only option to survive as a democracy, so it's a must for us,” Sandu said.
“We do believe in democracy. We want to stay part of the free world.”
Her government struck a similar note in its response to Lavrov. "We would like to remind the Russian side that the path Moldova is following is the path of accession to the EU,” the Moldovan Foreign Ministry said. “Moldova has clearly chosen its future, and this future is part of the free world.”
I’m half Romanian and half Scottish.
I remember when Moldova was one of a very few countries poorer than Romania.
Transnistria isnt mentioned because its not included in the threats. Is Moldova desirous of invading it? Not that I can see.
Moldova should merge with Romania. It would gain EU and NATO membership instantly and a massive economic boost. It would cost Romania, much like the merger of East and West Germany cost the West, at least in the short term.
And Transnistria can continue to be ignored.
“It’s a line from the end of the movie Red, that’s all.”
Ah. I never saw the movie.
For those who want Putin gone, be careful what you wish for.
Very familiar.
Everything is a threat to Russia. Leichtenstein is a threat. Andorra is a threat. My momma’s cat is a threat.
It’s silly but fun. Better than Red 2.
“Russian army officer admits: ‘Our troops tortured Ukrainians’”
Americans in Ukraine leading Ukrainians who have murdered Russian POWS under their care.
Mozart Group merc meltdown over viral Grayzone video exposé
I read it. It is almost verbatim what the USSR said about the US for about 50 years. You will also note that the article says it welcomes Russia as an international partner (a “viable stakeholder in European security and stability”).
In any event, this was just a discussion topic; it was not the announcement of a formal US policy or program.
If you want to have some credibility, post the outcome of the discussion and what decision — if any — arose out of it.
Just what Russia needs... Another front to send youthful Russian fodder facing certain death from the advanced weapons systems that western countries have in abundance, and can send to foreign fronts continuously.
The sheepal in Russia need to wake up and smell the cannon fire... You can’t win. Replace your demented leaders and come to your senses.
Yes, another poster just told me that. I never saw the movie so I had no idea you were quoting a line from it. Sorry.
I suggest Maldova not preemptively put their army at their border. Things like that instigate problems.
I wasn’t quoting it; that was butlerweave who quoted it in post #2.
Told you so! Putin has no plans to stop after Ukraine.
So the Moldovans should leave themselves wide open to Russian invasion?
Conflict has a way of occurring when a country puts their military on the border and gets aggressive - saying they are afraid of a war. It’s Almost like they start it and fulfill their very fear.
They need to stop. Unless they are itching for a fight too.
I didn’t see that, either. Nor did I see the movie “Reds” (though I liked Diane Keaton, and thought about watching it just for her; but I can’t stand Warren Beatty so passed on the movie).
“I wasn’t quoting it; that was butlerweave who quoted it in post #2.”
That’s who I initially responded to, I think.
Conflict also occurs when vicious and greedy countries like Russia invade their neighbors. Moldova is right to be afraid, looking just across the border at what happened to Ukraine.
Your appeasement reflex is very strong.
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