The situation has become increasingly tense between Moldova and the Russian-occupied breakaway republic of Transnistria.
Many observers believe that the region of Moldova could be Russia’s next target after Ukraine.
– Russia already had that goal in February 2022, that they would move towards the border with Transnistria. Now it didn’t turn out that way, but one can assume that Russia has that as a long-term goal, says Jakob Hedenskog.
– Putin has said several times that Russia’s borders for him are the same as the borders of the Soviet Union and that includes Moldova.
Jakob Hedenskog also says that Russia is already trying to influence Moldova by various means, including by sponsoring oligarchs and pro-Russian parties in the hope of being able to influence the presidential election this year and the parliamentary election next year.
Recently, the Congress of Transnistria also voted to call for protection from Russia, against Moldova.
Something Russia has so far, at least not officially, responded to.