Analysts warn that Vladimir Putin could be eyeing Moldova as his next target after a narrow vote moved the nation closer to EU membership, heightening Russia’s alarm. This vote has intensified tensions, with South Korean intelligence reporting Moscow’s alleged tactics to destabilize Moldova, drawing parallels to the prelude of Russia’s 2014 Crimea invasion. Experts caution that Russia may leverage its 1,500 troops in Transnistria, Moldova’s pro-Russian enclave, as a foothold for intervention, raising fears of a new European flashpoint.
Putin’s long-standing aim, analysts suggest, is to prevent Moldova from leaving Russia’s orbit and shift the region’s balance of power. With recent disinformation campaigns and alleged attempts to buy votes, Putin’s “grey zone” tactics hint at a deeper strategy to replace Moldova’s government with a pro-Russian administration.
