Russia feared to be eyeing Moldova

The Kremlin is using “very similar” rhetoric towards Moldova as it did before its invasion of Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War reported.

The think tanks says Moscow’s methods are “likely” designed “to set conditions to justify possible future Russian escalation against Moldova”.

Addressing the Transnistria conflict, yesterday, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, made a series of allegations that mirror those directed at Ukraine ahead of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its full-scale invasion.

His allegations included falsely claiming that the US and EU control the Moldovan government. He also claimed that there are about 200,000 Russian citizens in Transnistria, and that Russia is “concerned about their fate” and “will not allow them to become victims of another Western adventure.” 

The Kremlin has used the idea of protecting its “compatriots abroad” to justify Russian occupation of Transnistria since 1992 as well as its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the ISW reported. 

“The timing of a possible Russian hybrid operation in Moldova is unclear, but the Kremlin is setting informational conditions to make it possible soon,” it said.

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Moldovan Orthodox Church Rejects UN Official's Comments

CHISINAU -- Moldova's Orthodox Church has criticized a UN official for suggesting it has too much influence in the country, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.

The Orthodox Church said comments by Heiner Bielefeldt, UN rapporteur for religious freedom, were "shameless and disrespectful." Bielefeldt visited Moldova earlier this month to gather information for a report he will publish next year.

At a press briefing in Chisinau last week he said the Moldovan government generally respects religious freedom but that the Orthodox Church is "excessively privileged" compared to others.

Bielefeldt pointed out that the top Orthodox priests in Moldova carry diplomatic passports and that the country's law on religious freedom singles out Orthodox Christianity as the country's most-important faith.

He also criticized the church for not distancing itself from a crowd of Orthodox believers that tore down a Jewish menorah in central Chisinau during the 2009 Christmas season.

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