聽Moldovan President Maia Sandu speaks during the third ministerial conference of the Moldova Support Platform at the Ministerial Conference Centre in Paris, France, 21 November 2022. YOAN VALAT/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russia rejected on Tuesday an accusation by Moldova鈥檚 president that Moscow is plotting to destabilize the former Soviet republic.
Moldova鈥檚 president, Maia Sandu, complained on Monday that Russia was planning to use foreign saboteurs to bring down her tiny country鈥檚 leadership, stop it joining the European Union and use it in the war against Ukraine.
鈥淪uch claims are completely unfounded and unsubstantiated,鈥� Russia鈥檚 foreign ministry said in a statement.
Russia blamed Ukraine for stirring tension between Russia and Moldova, saying Kyiv was trying to draw Moldova 鈥渋nto a tough confrontation with Russia鈥�.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week his country had uncovered a Russian intelligence plan 鈥渇or the destruction of Moldova鈥�.
Days later, Moldova鈥檚 government resigned.
Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine, has repeatedly expressed concern about Russia鈥檚 intentions and about the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway Transdniestria region.
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