Romania: Moldova ‘faces no military threat’ while Ukraine resists
Romania’s President Nicuşor Dan said the Republic of Moldova faces “no military threat” as long as Ukraine resists, and ruled out the possibility of a Russian attack on the country.
Speaking in an interview with ProTV, he explained that Romania's geographical position and the current security context protect it from potential aggression.
Mr Dan said: "Moldova has only two borders: Ukraine and Romania. Fortunately, Ukraine is resisting. Moldova cannot be accessed from that direction, much less from the direction of Romania, which is a Nato member. As long as Ukraine resists, this danger does not exist."
Asked whether Romania could intervene to defend its citizens in Moldova in the event of an aggression, provocation, or the appearance of "little green men," the president ruled out such a situation, saying the risk was currently non-existent.
Mr Dan added that a greater risk would have only existed had pro-Russian forces won the parliamentary elections in Moldova.
"If, somehow, they had won, they would have allowed a strengthening of the small armed contingent, of about a thousand personnel, which is now in Transnistria. But this way, Moldova, as long as Ukraine resists, does not face any kind of threat," he reiterated.
Romanian military support
Last week, the Chief of the Romanian Defence Staff, General Gheorghiţă Vlad, stated that Romania could assist the Republic of Moldova in the event of an armed attack by Russia, citing a law that mandates the Romanian state to protect its citizens, including those abroad.
General Vlad specified in an interview with Euronews Romania: "The Romanian Army is helping the Republic of Moldova and the Moldovan Army to develop their respective defensive capabilities. We have many joint training programmes. We have many capability development programmes."
The General noted that Bucharest was prepared to provide Chişinău with "all necessary" military support in case of an attack. He added that any involvement could also include cooperation with Nato, given Romania's status as a member state of the North Atlantic Alliance.
The Romanian Defence Staff also stressed that the country possesses "political, military, and other instruments" to support Moldova and, especially, the Romanian citizens residing on its territory. At the same time, General Vlad expressed confidence that Russia will not launch a military attack, but warned about the danger posed by the hybrid warfare waged by Moscow in the region.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
