Providing Moldova with NATO arms could turn out 'disastrous': Russia

• 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Galuzin, considered that intensified cooperation between NATO and Moldova undermines the latter's security and that the supply of western arms would only bring negative consequences.

"A boost in cooperation between Kishinev and NATO countries in the military and military-technical spheres is a factor that undermines the security of Moldova itself to a greater extent," Galuzin told Sputnik.

The Russian diplomat explained that "as experience shows, the reckless pumping of Western weapons to a given country or the deployment of NATO contingents on its territory does not at all add to its security or sovereignty, but, on the contrary, brings it closer to disaster."

"The sad experience of Ukraine can be seen very clearly from the Moldovan land, I believe," he added.

Furthermore, the Russian diplomat dubbed Moldova's interactions with the West in the military sphere "territory seizure", which is hardly in the interests of Chisinau.

"We have repeatedly called on the official Chisinau to consciously approach the proposals imposed by the Westerners on 'improving the defense capability' of Moldova, which have nothing to do with the task of maintaining both peace and stability," Galuzin told Sputnik.

Despite these warnings, the Moldovan authorities "demonstrate their intention to develop closer cooperation with Western countries in the military sphere," the official noted.

"I would like to once again express doubt that such 'assistance' from the West, more reminiscent of 'territorial seizure', is in the interests of Moldova," Galuzin said.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the US and its allies have been allocating financial and military assistance to Kiev worth tens of billions of dollars.

Moscow has repeatedly stressed that delivering arms to Ukraine would only prolong the conflict, adding that any foreign military equipment, as well as personnel arriving in Ukraine, would be considered a legitimate target for the Russian armed forces.

Galuzin's remarks came after Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi announced that the Moldovan government plans to increase expenditures on protecting airspace.

Earlier, the European Union announced increasing its military support to Moldova, while the latter witnessed mass demonstrations in Kishinev against government policies and NATO.

Moldova has witnessed a number of demonstrations against the Moldovan government, calling for its resignation over the worsening economic crisis and the persecution of opposition figures.

Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon had warned that the West intends to destabilize the country in order to justify the deployment of NATO forces in its lands.

Read more: Moldova extends state of emergency for 60 days starting December 6