Russia wants to turn Moldova into Belarus to drag it into war - Moldovan politician

Moldovan Defense Minister (2015-2016) Anatol Șalaru said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"They've been trying to stage a coup there for a long time, and it seems like they haven't given up on this idea. Many people do not realize, although they should, that we do not have elections for any doctrines. Our elections are either for Europe or for war. If the pro-Moscow candidates win, Moldova will definitely be drawn into Russia's war against the whole world. They want to turn Moldova into Belarus and they want Moldova to participate in this war on the side of Russia. Therefore, when they say that pro-European candidates want war, they actually want to hide the fact that they are the party of war, support the war, and want to turn Moldova into a Russian bridgehead in this part of Europe and increase the military contingent so that Moldova participates in this war," he said.

So far, the pro-Moscow candidates have no unified position, Șalaru said.

"They have a lot of candidates if they can collect signatures to run in the elections, but their main goal is to participate in the referendum and promote the idea that the referendum is a rejection of neutrality and involvement of Moldova in this war. They are ready for anything now. But any normal person understands that Maia Sandu does not support the war, but stands on the same platform as the West, the European Union and Ukraine. She has never been in favor of war, but people who do not watch European channels and do not follow the news on the Internet need to be explained this," the former Moldovan defense minister added.

• On July 31, the Moldovan parliament was searched in a case of high treason and spying for Russia. After the searches, it became known that two people were detained.