According to police, a plot by Russia to create unrest in Moldova was foiled.

Officers claimed that an undercover agent infiltrated “diversionist” groups, some of which were Russian citizens. They had been promised money to organize “mass disorder”.

Moscow was accused of trying to destabilize Moldova’s pro-Western government to distract from its struggles in Ukraine.

Moldova was a former Soviet Republic that is home to approximately 2.6 million people.

Advertisement

On Sunday, protests took place again. This was the latest in a series of demonstrations organized by Movement for the People. It is supported by the Russia-friendly Shor Party of Moldova.

Demonstrators are asking the government to fully pay winter energy bills, and “not engage the country in war.”

Police claimed that they had arrested 54 protesters, including 21 minors, for “questionable behavior”.

Although the US accuses Moscow of trying destabilize Moldova and to install a more pro Russian government, it insists that there is no imminent military threat.

John Kirby, White House national security spokesperson, stated: “As Moldova continues its integration with Europe, we

Russia may be seeking to weaken Moldova’s government, possibly with the ultimate goal of creating a more Russian-friendly administration in the capital.

“More specifically Russian actors with current ties and intelligence from Russia are trying to use protests in Moldova to foment and create insurrection against Moldova’s government.”

Russia denies that Moscow plotted to destabilize Moldova.

In a statement, Russia’s foreign ministry stated that such claims were “completely unfounded” and unsubstantiated.

Continue reading:

Additional PS5bn to the UK military to combat threats from Russia and China

“I want Putin to Die”: Anger at the Russian missiles that hit Kyiv

While tensions between Russia and Moldova are not new, they have been in the spotlight ever since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Since 1992, the separatist-governed Transnistria in Transnistria, a region in Moldova that is bordered by Ukraine, has been ruled by pro-Russian separatists. It also houses a garrison with Russian troops.

The pro-Western government in Moldova and the international community do not recognize the region’s independence.

Subscribe to Sky News Daily, where you can get your podcasts

Cristian Cantir, a Moldovan associate Professor of International Relations at Oakland University, stated that although it was difficult to predict how the alleged plans for overthrowing Moldova’s government will play out, “Russia always sought to undermine pro–European governments”.

He stated that while the concerns were legitimate, it is difficult to determine the nature of the threat and how dangerous certain groups might be. However, it was a real concern.