DISINFO: Moldova is preparing for war
SUMMARY
Moldova is actively preparing for possible hostilities and war. This happens openly and unceremoniously, according to the Telegran channel "Smuglyanka". Next year, the budget of the Ministry of Defence will increase by 50%. It will amount to about 85 million euros. The funds will be allocated for the purchase of weapons and equipment and salary increases for the military. And it is obvious that the authorities in this process are clearly led from abroad.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin narrative that Moldova's pro-European leadership will draw Moldova into Russia's war with Ukraine, opening a "second front" in the Transnistrian region, on the orders of "external curators".
According to the draft of the State Budget Law for 2023, approved by the Government, and a press release from the Ministry of Defence, the defence budget has indeed increased by approximately 50% and amounts to 1,697.1 million lei. The spending includes both the procurement of military equipment and salary increases for the military.
But this does not mean that Moldova is preparing for war. According to the Constitution, the Republic of Moldova is a neutral country and this status can only be changed through a referendum. However, such a referendum is not planned or even discussed.
The country's president, Maia Sandu, declared (min. 34-38) in July 2022 that Moldova remains a neutral country, but will strengthen its defence: "The Republic of Moldova is and will remain a peaceful country. (…) Even if our defence system is in a very bad situation, if it wasn't for this Russian aggression against Ukraine, we probably wouldn't have discussed much about the need to equip the army. (…) We don't want anyone to involve us in the war, but it is a reality for which we must prepare".
See here a similar case claiming Moldova is preparing a news war against Transnistria.