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European Council President Charles Michel has promised to increase military aid to Moldova, as several incidents have been reported in the Moscow-backed separatist region of Transnistria that have led to accusations that Russia wants to destabilize the former Soviet Union and involve it in its war against Ukraine.
“This year we plan to significantly increase our support for Moldova by providing its armed forces with additional military equipment,” Michel told a joint news conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
During this conference on May 4 in Moldova, he did not give further details on the matter.
Michel also pledged to support Moldova against cyber attacks and misinformation, adding that avoiding escalating tensions in Transnistria is of particular importance.
“We have to maintain stability,” said Michel, adding that the 27 bloc countries have a responsibility to help Moldova fight the war in neighboring Ukraine.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with you, with Moldova, in its European tasks to help and support your country,” Michel said.
Moldova has seen an influx of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the start of the unprovoked Russian occupation of Ukraine on February 24. Michel said the EU would support Moldova “in dealing with the consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
“We will continue to deepen our partnership with you and bring your country closer to the EU,” Michel said.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu, meanwhile, said her country had plans for “pessimistic scenarios”, but added that “we do not see any immediate danger right now.”
She said the Transnistrian incidents were “generated by pro-war forces” and that “we are trying to discourage such incidents”.
Last week, authorities in Transnistria said there had been explosions at the Ministry of Security, at a military unit and at the tower of a Russian-owned radio station, while shots were heard in a village where a Russian weapons depot is located. Moscow called the incidents “terrorist acts.”
Ukraine has said Russia wants to destabilize the region and create a pretext for military intervention.
The Transdniester region is a narrow strip of land between Moldova and Ukraine. The region declared independence from Moldova in 1990. The two sides fought a brief war in 1992, which ended with Russian troops intervening on the separatist side. Russia still has close to 1,500 soldiers in this separatist region.
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