The Kremlin Views Moldova as a Springboard for New Aggression — NYT
Russia views Moldova as one of its main targets after Ukraine and may want to use its territory to exert further pressure on Kyiv and Europe. This is according to an investigation by The New York Times, which cites Western intelligence officials and informed officials. According to their information, the Kremlin seeks to establish control over Moldova and has not abandoned the idea of creating a land corridor through southern Ukraine. The Kremlin denies these claims.
Russia may view Moldova not merely as a neighboring state, but as a key component of its plans to exert further pressure on Ukraine and Europe. The New York Times reported this on August 14 in an article based on information from Western intelligence officials and other informed sources. According to the publication, the Kremlin allegedly views Moldova as one of its key targets after Ukraine. In such a scenario, control over the country would give Russia additional opportunities to influence the situation in the region.
Western officials cited by the NYT assert that the capture of Ukraine remains the top priority in Russia’s hierarchy, while the next objective is described as “establishing control over Moldova.” This does not mean that Russia has already decided on an imminent military attack on Moldova. Rather, these are assessments by Western intelligence agencies regarding the Kremlin’s possible goals and plans. At the same time, Moldova has been under intense Russian political, informational, and security pressure for several years.
Putin Allegedly Spoke of the Collapse of the EU and NATO
One of the most serious claims in the article concerns a closed-door briefing that, according to NYT sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly held for military commanders in late 2025. According to the publication’s sources, during this briefing, Russian military leadership was reportedly told that one of Moscow’s main goals for 2026 should be “the collapse of NATO and the EU from within.”
It is important to note that this information comes from informed sources of the American publication and has not been publicly confirmed by the Kremlin. Therefore, it should be viewed specifically as an assessment by Western intelligence agencies, rather than as a plan officially announced by Russia. At the same time, the very logic of such a scenario fits into the broader context of Russia’s confrontation with the West. Moscow regularly attempts to influence political processes in European countries, and Moldova, due to its location and proximity to Ukraine, is of particular importance to the Kremlin.
Why Moldova Is Important to Russia
Western officials believe that control over Moldova could give Russia an advantageous position for further actions in the region. The country borders Ukraine and Romania, which is a member of the EU and NATO. Transnistria is of particular importance, as Russian troops have been stationed there for many years. Russia maintains a military presence there, despite Chisinau’s demands that it withdraw its troops. Ukraine and Moldova have repeatedly emphasized the security threat posed by the Russian contingent in the region.
According to sources interviewed by the NYT, Moldova could become for Russia “an ideal springboard for further aggression against both Ukraine and the West.” Geography also plays a key role here. If Russian forces were to capture a significant portion of southern Ukraine, Moscow could attempt to establish a land corridor to Moldova. According to the publication, Western officials are discussing precisely this possibility.
Moldova Warns of Russian Plans
Stanislav Secrieru, the Moldovan president’s adviser on national security and defense, stated that Chisinau perceives a serious threat from Russia. “Russia wants to use Moldova as a springboard for hostile actions against Ukraine, as well as against its main defense and financial ally—the EU,” he said. According to Secrieru, Moscow has directed “unprecedented resources” toward this goal in recent years.
Moldovan authorities have repeatedly denounced Russia’s attempts to influence the country’s political life. These include, in particular, disinformation campaigns, political influence, and the use of Transnistria as a tool for exerting pressure.
At the same time, Moldova itself officially remains a neutral state. Meanwhile, Chisinau is deepening its cooperation with the European Union and views European integration as one of the main priorities of its foreign policy.
The Kremlin Denies the Allegations
The Kremlin has rejected claims that it plans to use Moldova as a springboard for further aggression. Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that reports of such plans are untrue. “These are all false claims that have no basis in fact,” he said.
Thus, there are currently two opposing positions. Western intelligence officials and representatives of the Moldovan government speak of the risk that Russia could use Moldova to exert further pressure on Ukraine and Europe, while the Kremlin categorically denies this.
Why the Situation Is Important for Ukraine
For Ukraine, the issue of Moldova is of particular importance due to the shared border and the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria. In the event of a sharp escalation of the situation in this region, Kyiv could face additional security risks in the southwestern direction. At the same time, there is currently no confirmation that Russia is preparing an imminent attack on Moldova. The NYT report concerns Western intelligence assessments of strategic plans and possible scenarios, rather than information about the launch of a specific military operation.
The risks for Moldova, however, remain real. Russian troops are already present in Transnistria, and the region itself remains an unresolved territory within Moldova’s internationally recognized borders. In 2018, for example, the OSCE reported on unauthorized Russian military exercises in the Security Zone, including a crossing of the Dniester River.
Therefore, the report by the American publication draws attention not only to the Kremlin’s possible plans regarding Moldova but also to the broader security issue in Eastern Europe. If the assessments of Western intelligence agencies are correct, Moldova may be viewed by Moscow as a key element of a broader strategy to exert pressure on Ukraine and European states. At the same time, the Kremlin’s ultimate intentions have not yet been publicly confirmed. This is reported by The New York Times.
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