According to Nikolai Patroeshev, a confidant of Putin, by the end of 2025, not only will Ukraine cease to exist, but this fate also threatens Moldova.
According to Patroeshev, considered Putin’s right-hand man, Moldova ‘will become part of another state, or it will cease to exist’. He said this in an interview with the daily Komsomolskaya Pravda.
He blames the Moldovan government’s pro-European course and accuses them of mismanagement in the energy crisis. This crisis arose when Ukraine refused to let Russian gas through from 1 January. This led to shortages and rising costs in Moldova and Transnistria. Criticism of the Moldovan government is rising, which could fuel pro-Russian sentiments.
Analysts say military action against Moldova is unlikely and Moscow will use the energy crisis and diplomatic pressure to maintain influence in the region. Patroeshev’s statements are said to be mainly an attempt to portray Moldova as a ‘failed state’ if it does not have Russia’s support.
