Moldova's army exercises near conflict region Transnistria
After the EU complies with Moldova's request for accession negotiations, the country bordering Russia holds a military maneuver. Despite warnings from Moscow, the national army deploys near the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova fears the intrusion of Russian units.
In the Republic of Moldova, the military has begun a maneuver near its breakaway region of Transnistria, which is controlled by Russian troops. The Ministry of Defense in the country in the vicinity of EU and NATO member Romania announced the exercise from Sunday to 22 December. According to the announcement, military vehicles were on the roads.
The pro-Western leadership of the country, which is striving to join the EU, sees Moldova, which also borders on Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, as threatened by Moscow. According to the media, the EU handed over medical and protective equipment, all-terrain vehicles, mine detectors, drones and power generators to Moldova's national army last week. Russia had warned the Western-backed leadership in the past not to take back the breakaway region of Transnistria by force. Strict security checks are now in place at the international airport in the capital Chisinau to prevent the possible entry of Russian fighters into the country.
On Friday, the Moldovan parliament also adopted a national security strategy for the first time in twelve years - with an increase in defense spending. President Maia Sandu said that the strategy was a major step forward in strengthening the country's security and stability. "Today we are dealing with two major threats to national security: The aggressive policy of the Russian Federation against our country and the world at large, and the deep-rooted corruption in Moldova," Sandu said. However, the strategy also helps the country's European integration process. On Thursday, the EU decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine.
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Source: www.ntv.de
