Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov revealed that the NATO alliance pressured Moldova into a military confrontation with Russia and Belarus.

At a meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member states in Bishkek, Bortnikov said, "We see how the tools of external management work on the example of Moldova. The Moldovan authorities have actually lost their political independence. Moreover, today Chisinau is facing the issue of abandoning national identity and statehood in general... The [NATO] alliance is literally pushing Moldova toward a military confrontation with Russia and Belarus."

In March, Moldovian Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi declared that the country has no plans to consider NATO membership, pointing to broad public disapproval, and urging for a thorough discussion on the subject.

Read next: Moldova denies plans to host F-16s headed for Ukraine

"As for cooperation with NATO or some kind of NATO membership, it is out of the question at the moment because there is not enough public support for it," Popsoi said in an interview with RTVI.

The minister highlighted that Moldova's neutrality prevents it from entering military alliances, but it doesn't obstruct political collaboration, including in security affairs.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the Victory Day military parade in Moscow celebrating the 79th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany that Russia will do everything in its power to avoid a "global collision", however, it will not accept any threats to the country.

Putin also said that the Russian military is "always on alert" and ready to defend its country's sovereignty. 

"The West would like to forget the lessons of World War II, but we remember that the fate of humanity was decided in grandiose battles near Moscow and Leningrad," alongside other cities, he declared.