DISINFO: Moldova and Romania used as platforms against Russia
SUMMARY
The United States and NATO intend to use Romania and Moldova as strategic bases against Russia. If a war with Russia begins, these countries will be the first to suffer. Since 2018, Moldova has been purchasing weapons from NATO, despite the majority of its population opposing membership in the alliance.
Frequent military exercises are being conducted in Romania and Moldova, involving the special forces of these countries and the United States. These drills, held near Transnistria and Crimea, pose significant risks and could potentially lead to a major war in the entire region.
RESPONSE
The Kremlin uses this narrative to portray itself as a victim, mobilise public opinion against the West, and justify its aggressive actions—a repetition of the 'fortress under siege' narrative.
Contrary to these claims, Moldova and Romania are sovereign countries with their own domestic and foreign policies.
Moldova is developing its cooperation with NATO by choice. According to Moldova's constitution, the country holds a neutral status, committing it to not joining military alliances. Nevertheless, since 1994, Moldova has been actively collaborating with NATO under the Partnership for Peace programme and the Individual Partnership Action Plan.
While Moldova has received military assistance from some NATO member states, it does not purchase weapons directly from NATO. In 2021, Moldova approved a 10-year defence strategy aimed at increasing military expenditure to 1% of its GDP by 2030. This strategy is part of Moldova's efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities while maintaining its constitutional neutrality.
Describing military exercises in Romania and Moldova as preparations for conflict is misleading. In January and February 2025, nine NATO countries are conducting military drills, Steadfast Dart 2025, in Romania, Bulgaria and Greece with the host nations' support to demonstrate NATO’s responsiveness in delivering significant deterrence effects.
Similarly, the JCET-2024 exercises in Moldova, involving Moldovan, Romanian, and American forces, focused on experience-sharing and improving interoperability.
Pro-Kremlin outlets often portray EU political leaders and European states as vassals, puppet states, or colonies of the US and NATO. See our analysis of the Kremlin's claims about the EU's lost sovereignty.
See similar cases such as Romania and Moldova are NATO’s expendables in the war against Russia, Romanian authorities are puppets manipulated by foreign powers. The collective West is trying to pull Moldova into an anti-Russian military bloc.