NYT: Russia planned to destabilize NATO and EU this year

Russia allegedly plotted to undermine NATO and the EU this year, with a primary goal of seizing control of Ukraine and subsequently Moldova, according to two officials familiar with the meeting details cited by The New York Times.

Intelligence officials believe Moldova would serve as an ideal platform for further Russian aggression against both Ukraine and the West. Russian President Vladimir Putin also reportedly hopes to capture territory in southern Ukraine to create a land corridor connecting Russia with Moldova. To achieve these aims, Russia allegedly interfered in Moldova's parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025, using cyberattacks, disinformation, vote-buying, and agitation.

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It's a lie, nonsense, complete nonsense – these talks about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries.

As part of the alleged Kremlin campaign, Moldovan clergy traveled to Russia, received debit cards from Promsvyazbank, and were instructed to collect $1,000 each upon returning to Moldova. Their task was to persuade parishioners to vote against the country's EU accession referendum and publicly condemn pro-Western policies. These elections were described as historic, with observers stating that Moldova's European integration future largely depended on their outcome.

In the summer of 2025, a training camp was established in Serbia where Moldovan citizens were reportedly taught to use firearms, breach police blockades, and set fires to disrupt the elections. Operatives linked to Russia's military intelligence, GRU, allegedly served as instructors. Similar camps operated in Bosnia and near Moscow. Stanislav Secrieru, Moldova's presidential advisor on national security and defense, stated that Russia aims to use Moldova as a "platform for hostile activities against Ukraine and the EU." Despite these alleged efforts, Moldovan authorities were prepared. Weeks before the elections, police conducted raids and detained individuals trained in the camps. With the help of Western allies, Moldovan cybersecurity specialists repelled cyberattacks, and President Maia Sandu's party retained its parliamentary majority.

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Moldova wants to use it as a platform for hostile activities against Ukraine and the main supporter of its defense and finances – the EU.