With the 14th Russian Army still stationed in Transnistria, Moscow now claims that “Europe will occupy Moldova.” Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service announced that NATO may deploy units in Ukraine’s Odesa region.
Citing the institution, Russian media reported that NATO troops are allegedly concentrated in Romania near the Moldovan border. In reality, the closest allied military bases are located in Fetești and Constanța.
Russian officers further alleged that British and French troops have already arrived in Odesa. According to them, “officials in Brussels fear that the falsifications they are preparing will drive Moldovan citizens into the streets to defend their rights.” They added that NATO might delay troop deployment until later, potentially creating a pretext through “armed provocations against Transnistria and Russian troops stationed there.” Kremlin representatives identified the period around Moldova’s November 30 parliamentary elections as a possible timeframe.
NATO dismissed these claims, telling Realitatea that the Alliance fully respects Moldova’s neutrality. NATO reiterated that its partnerships are based solely on requests from states that choose to cooperate with the Alliance.
Meanwhile, Russia itself remains the only state violating Moldova’s neutrality. Moscow maintains about 1,500 troops illegally on the left bank of the Dniester, stationed in the separatist-controlled region without Chisinau’s consent and in breach of international commitments. Another 430 Russian soldiers serve within the joint peacekeeping forces, according to Moldova’s Bureau for Reintegration Policies.