Moldovan president warns of Russian 'takeover' plot

Synopsis

Moldovan President Maia Sandu warns of a plot by Moscow to take over Moldova, highlighting the country's precarious position amid rising tensions. Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu is in Brussels for urgent consultations with the European Union regarding the situation. Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine, has seen thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Chisinau, with the government alleging that these protests are orchestrated by pro-Russian forces. The country, one of the poorest in Europe, has been affected by political instability and has taken in many Ukrainian refugees since the full-scale invasion began a year ago. Moldova's constitutional neutrality prevents it from joining military alliances like NATO, raising concerns among EU countries about its vulnerability to Russian influence.