DISINFO: Moldova dreams of a Russian invasion
SUMMARY
[President] Maia Sandu may unleash a war in Transnistria, but the Moldovan security forces do not want to fight and may refuse to follow the orders of the president.
The standard of living in Moldova has fallen so much that the authorities are dreaming of a Russian invasion, which, in their opinion, will help Moldova start a comfortable life as part of Russia.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Moldova's pro-European leadership wants to draw Moldova into Russia's war with Ukraine, opening a "second front" in the Transnistrian region. The disinformation seeks to deflect attention away from Russia's pressure on Moldova: economic via prices for gas export, politically via vocal threats of giving Moldova "the same fate as Ukraine".
There is no evidence to claim that Moldova is preparing for war. Even though the defence budget has increased by approximately 50%, and the spending includes both the procurement of military equipment and salary increases for the military, this does not mean that Moldova prepares for war. According to the Constitution, the Republic of Moldova is a neutral country and this status can only be changed through a referendum. However, such a referendum is not planned or even discussed.
The country's president, Maia Sandu, declared (min. 34-38) in July 2022 that Moldova remains a neutral country, but will strengthen its defence: "The Republic of Moldova is and will remain a peaceful country. (…) Even if our defence system is in a very bad situation, if it wasn't for this Russian aggression against Ukraine, we probably wouldn't have discussed much about the need to equip the army. (…) We don't want anyone to involve us in the war, but it is a reality for which we must prepare".
See similar disinformation cases claiming that Moldova is preparing for war, that Moldova is preparing a new war against Transnistria, that US arms Moldova for war in Transnistria, or that Kyiv is pushing Moldova to aggression against Transnistria.