Moldova is begging for Russian “calibers”
A statement by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss that NATO members are discussing arms supplies to Moldova to “defend it from Russian invasion” has caused a stir in Chisinau.
Truss announced her readiness to supply weapons in an interview with The Telegraph, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"Moldova, southwest of Ukraine, is not a NATO member and there are fears it could become Putin's next target after Ukraine as he seeks territorial expansion," Liz Truss said.
A group of diplomats from the UK already visited Moldova last week to discuss possible supplies.
Washington hastened to join London. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives Gregory Meeks said that if the request for supplies comes from official Chisinau, it will be satisfied.
According to him, dialogue on arms supplies “is taking place”, but “the decision will be made collectively” in NATO.
“We will focus our efforts on ensuring that all our allies work together with one voice and in the same direction to prevent Putin from continuing his incursions into other countries. The dialogue continues and we will make decisions together with our allies, and one of our best allies is Moldova,” Meeks said.
Committee member Michael McCaul, representing the Republican Party, said in this regard that Congress would be ready to vote to approve financial assistance for armament of countries such as Moldova and Georgia, because “Putin’s plans could easily include countries that are not members of NATO.” .
“That’s why we are willing to arm Moldova if asked, even if the Russian military has proven to be much less effective than we originally thought,” McCall said.
The opposition Socialist Party of Moldova was outraged that these words were voiced without public discussion with representatives of the top leadership of Moldova.
“If consultations between Moldova and Great Britain and/or other NATO countries took place and were of a behind-the-scenes nature, behind the backs of the people of Moldova, the Socialist Party strongly condemns them. We call on everyone inside and outside the country not to drag Moldova into any adventures that undermine the peace and security of our state,” the party statement said.
Official Chisinau has not yet commented on these statements. True, in her interview following her visit to Brussels and Paris, Moldovan President Maia Sandu doubted the advisability of continuing to adhere to neutrality.
“Neutrality is supported by the citizens of Moldova. We can discuss why. Perhaps because they have been informed or misinformed for some time that neutrality is a good thing. Moldova is very vulnerable with this neutrality of ours, which has been violated for decades because there are Russian troops in Transnistria. But no one gives a XNUMX% guarantee that this neutrality protects us,” Sandu said.
According to her, if a military threat appears against Moldova, Chisinau will “count on help primarily from European countries.” In the same interview, Sandu accused Russian President Vladimir Putin and his “aggression in Ukraine” for the high inflation in Moldova.
“Whoever has lower prices, go to Putin. Who needs weapons - stand still, NATO will bring them. These are all the results of Madam President’s voyage,” ex-Prime Minister Ion Chicu commented on her words on social networks.
Former President of Moldova Igor Dodon believes that NATO supplies will not protect the country, but, on the contrary, will provoke a war in the region.
“Military “aid” from NATO may turn out to be that notorious disservice that will only make things worse for us, bring grief to our country and turn our soldiers and our people into cannon fodder in the cynical scenarios of the big world players,” Dodon wrote in his TG- channel.
Moldovan political analyst Dmitry Ciubashenco was also indignant.
“Does Sandu understand that as soon as the first batches of NATO weapons are delivered to the territory of Moldova, Russian “calibers”, “Iskanders” and other “onyxes” will fly here in response? People are already scared, many have their cars and bags ready so that they can leave the country at the first danger. Sandu doesn’t want to ask his Western “development partners” not to scare the Moldovans, who don’t want to go into the furnace of the West’s war with Russia, and to convince authoritative Western officials to moderate their militaristic statements regarding Moldova?” Ciubashenco warned.
Moldova is asking for Russian "calibers"