Protecting Ukraine is way to shield Moldova, says Cleverly
THE best way to defend Moldova from attack by Russia is to protect Ukraine, James Cleverly said during his visit to the former Soviet republic.
The Foreign Secretary used his trip to announce £10million of British aid to help fund the country’s economic and governance reforms as it looks to forge closer ties with its Western partners.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moldova’s government and its allies have feared it could be dragged into the conflict.
The nation of 2.5million people is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania and has Russian peacekeepers stationed in the pro-moscow breakaway Transdniestria region.
The Kremlin says the scaremongering is unjustified “Russophobia”.
Asked by reporters yesterday whether the UK planned to send military support to Moldova, Mr Cleverly said: “We strongly believe that one of the best ways of protecting Moldova from physical attack is helping the Ukrainians defend themselves against Russia.”
Russian missiles aimed at Ukraine have occasionally entered Moldovan airspace while authorities have blamed the Kremlin for fuelling anti-government protests. Last month Maia Sandu, the Moldovan president, also accused Moscow of planning a coup to overthrow the government.
The UK’S new financial pledge will be in addition to £12million donated last year. The cash was used to defend against cyber attacks, tackle Russian propaganda, reform its armed forces and address corruption.
On Sunday police said they foiled a plot by Russian-backed saboteurs to cause unrest at protests against the government. The rally was one of several in recent weeks organised by the Movement for the People, a group backed by Moldova’s Russia-friendly Shor party that holds six seats in the country’s 101seat legislature. Shor was added to the UK sanctions list in December.