Putin wants to use Moldova against Ukraine, as he uses Belarus, President Sandu says

Russia wants to use Moldova against Ukraine in the same way it uses Belarus, President of Moldova Maia Sandu said during the broadcast of the Puncte de reflecție program on Vocea Basarabiei TV channel, Moldovan news agency NewsMaker reports.

The Moldovan leader was asked to explain what hybrid attacks are.

"Attempts of the Russian Federation to undermine and overthrow the government, and we have evidence. It is clear that Russia is trying to establish a pro-Russian government in Chisinau in order to use Moldova against Ukraine, as it happens, for example, in the case of Belarus," Sandu answered.

She recalled the recent statement of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin regarding the intention of the Russian Federation to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus.

"You have seen the Kremlin's recent statements that they will place nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus. This is exactly what Russia wants to do in the case of Moldova. However, today in Moldova there is an independent government, elected by its citizens, which works for the benefit of the citizens and Moldova, so it cannot be used the way the pro-Russian leadership would use it," Sandu stressed.

On March 25, Putin announced his intention to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, allegedly in response to UK's plans to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium munitions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers Russia's intentions to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus to be a "provocative step" and demands an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

The White House said that the US sees no signs of the movement of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus.