Biden confirms Moldova’s sovereignty after alleged Russian coup plot

WARSAW/WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed his support for Moldova’s sovereignty in a meeting with the President of Moldova, the White House said days later. Chisinau said it foiled an attempted Russian coup.

Biden marks trip in Warsaw One year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Worked to reassure other Eastern European countries worried about maintaining their independence.

“President Biden reaffirmed America’s strong support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the White House said in a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

“He urged continued U.S. support to help Moldova strengthen its democratic reform agenda and political and economic resilience, including energy security, and deal with the impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine. emphasized.”

Mr Sandu said earlier this month that the country had received intelligence suggesting that Russia was plotting a coup to “overthrow” the Moldovan authorities and sow chaos in the tiny former Soviet republic.

Moldova’s parliament approved a new pro-Western government last week. The former government resigned en masse The next month of political and economic scandals.

The new government, headed by Prime Minister Dorin Lethian, vowed to pursue a pro-European path He also called for the demilitarization of the Moscow-backed separatist region of Transdonia, which borders Ukraine.

The Kremlin denied allegations of plotting a coup, said it was acting “responsibly” with regard to peacekeepers stationed in the breakaway territories, and warned Moldova not to further escalate the situation.

Moscow resents the prospect of Moldova joining the European Union, sandwiched between Ukraine and NATO member Romania.

Tensions have reached new heights between Washington and Moscow. Biden is scheduled to meet on Wednesday with the leaders of Poland, Romania and other “Bucharest 9” countries on NATO’s eastern flank. Moldova is not a member of the Security Alliance.Reuters