Sandu warns of risk of russian invasion of Odesa Region from Moldova

Moldovan President Maia Sandu warned citizens in a speech on September 22 about a real threat - moscow is trying to use the country as a springboard for a possible invasion of the Odesa Region.

According to NewsMaker, according to Sandu, the kremlin is actively financing voter bribery, spreading disinformation and organizing provocations on the eve of the parliamentary elections.

"Today I tell you with all seriousness that our sovereignty, independence, integrity and European future are under threat. The Kremlin is throwing away hundreds of millions of euros to buy hundreds of thousands of votes on both banks of the Dniester River, as well as outside the country," the President stressed.

Sandu warned that if pro-russian forces strengthen, Moldova could become a transit platform for an attack on Ukraine, and the Transnistrian region would be under threat of destabilization.

"Europe will end at the border with Moldova. European funds will stop at the Prut. Freedom of movement may end. Our land may become an infiltration ramp to the Odesa Region. We, the people of the Republic of Moldova, cannot allow the country to surrender to foreign interests," she said.

The President called on citizens not to succumb to manipulation and to protect the future of the country.

Tensions around Moldova have been growing in recent years due to the geopolitical confrontation and the status of Transnistria. International partners have repeatedly expressed concern about possible kremlin interference in the country's internal affairs.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, former Member of Parliament of Ukraine, representative of the Svoboda Party Ihor Miroshnychenko said that Kyiv could have carried out an operation to de-occupy Transnistria a year ago and thereby reduce threats from the rear, but resources were spent on an "adventurous operation in the Kursk Oblast."