Moldovan foreign affairs minister says accusations by Russian ambassador attempts to destabilize situation, part of hybrid warfare mechanism

Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi rejects the statements made by the designated Russian ambassador to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, regarding alleged threats against citizens of the Russian Federation in the Transnistrian region. The Moldovan diplomacy head describes the accusations as “attempts to destabilize the situation in Moldova, which are part of the hybrid warfare mechanism our country has been facing for more years.”

The official recalled a previous request by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chisinau addressed to Russian citizens, in which they were urged to report any alleged cases of abuse or improper treatment.

“We all know how society reacted to that post. Absolutely everyone, including Russian speakers, said that they feel very comfortable in Moldova – no one is threatening them and their constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms are observed, unlike the situation in the Russian Federation,” Mihai Popsoi said.

In the context, the official stressed that “the sovereignty and neutrality of the Republic of Moldova are undermined by only one state – the Russian Federation.”

“These attempts aim to destabilize the situation in Moldova and are part of the hybrid warfare mechanisms we have been going through for more years. We suggest that Mr. Ozerov focus on diplomatic activity, because in relations between the Russian Federation and Moldova, it is not Moldovan drones that enter Russian airspace, but the other way around. It is not Moldovan troops that are on the territory of the Russian Federation, but Russian troops that have been illegally stationed for more than 30 years on the territory of our country,” Mihai Popsoi noted.

The designated Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov,  in a press briefing, said that “the security of Russian citizens in the Transnistrian region is allegedly threatened and Moscow will take all measures to protect them.”