US and Ukrainian officials consider ‘high probability’ of Putin invading Moldova

When asked how the Biden administration’s war strategy would change if Russia moved toward Moldova, Finer replied that the United States “has shown the ability to be nimble” and “our help and approach to development.” to adapt to the Russian war aims”. ”

“We’ll continue to do that over time as things unfold on the battlefield,” Finer said.

Finer’s remarks followed This was reported by Russian news agencies last Friday that Rustam Minnekayev, the deputy commander of Russia’s Central Military District, said Russia plans to take full control of Donbass and the southern part of Ukraine as part of its new offensive in the country.

“Control of southern Ukraine is another avenue to Transnistria, where there is also evidence that the Russian-speaking population is being oppressed,” Minnekayev reportedly said at a meeting in central Russia’s Sverdlovsk region.

Transnistria or Transnistria is a pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova bordering Ukraine to the southwest. Like Ukraine, Moldova was part of the Soviet Union until Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev dissolved the sprawling communist state in 1991.

Minnekayev also reportedly said Russia plans to establish a land corridor between Donbass and Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula south of Ukraine that Russia seized and illegally annexed in 2014.

Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration responded by summoning Oleg Vasnetov, Russia’s ambassador to the country, to express “deep concern” about Minnekaev’s comments last Friday.

“These statements are unfounded and contradict the position of the Russian Federation, which supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders,” the ministry said said in a statement.

During the meeting with Vasnetov, “It was reiterated that according to its constitution, Moldova is a neutral state and this principle must be respected by all international actors, including the Russian Federation.”

Asked Sunday about a possible Russian invasion of Moldova, Igor Zhovkva, deputy head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said: said NBC that Russian forces “can move where they want, but they won’t do it, we won’t let them.”

“Russia’s real war began in 2014 with the capture of Crimea and part of the Donbass. So, yes, now they want to conquer the whole Donbass. Yes, they want the connection between Donbass and Crimea,” said Zhovkva.

“As for Moldova, yes, we heard these announcements from Russian officials,” Zhovkva continued. “Who knows? You never know with Russia, but… that could be a high probability.”

After retreating from around the capital Kyiv in northern Ukraine earlier this month, Russian forces last Monday launched their expected attack in the Donbass, home to two breakaway areas largely held by Moscow-backed separatists: the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic.

In a speech last FridayZelenskyy reiterated his warning that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “was only intended as a start” and that Putin then intends to “conquer other countries”.

“All nations who, like us, believe in the victory of life over death must fight with us. You must help us because we are the first on this path. And who is next?” said Zelenskyj. “If someone who can be next wants to stay neutral today so as not to lose anything, that’s the riskiest bet. Because you will lose everything.”

Doug Lute, a retired army lieutenant general and former US ambassador to NATO, agreed with Zelenskyy’s assessment of Putin’s ambitions on Sunday.

“I think he would like to do that. President Putin would like to do that. He wants to expand Russia’s power in his neighborhood. He wants to recreate something like the old Russian Empire,” says Lute told ABC’s This Week in an interview.

However, such a restoration of the Soviet Union is “not within the scope” of Putin’s possibilities, Lute said, adding: “There is a big gap between his goals and his means.”