Moldova's foreign minister announced his resignation on Wednesday, saying he had fulfilled his objective of steering the country towards the European Union, a process that pro-Russian separatists in the country have threatened to fight.

The small former Soviet republic led by pro-European president Maia Sandu was given the green light by the EU in December to open negotiations on joining the 27-nation bloc along with neighbouring Ukraine.

Both countries face a long process involving changes to meet EU standards, which Nicu Popescu, who became foreign minister in 2021, noted had been going on for several years.

"I have completed all obligations to integrate Moldova into the EU which were set by President Maia Sandu. I need a pause," minister Nicu Popescu told a media briefing.

Analysts praised Popescu's role in supporting Sandu's efforts to move the country closer to the EU and said he was resigning to spend more time with his family living in France.

His resignation comes at a sensitive time for Moldova, where a duty on imports and exports introduced in the New Year were met this week by a call from pro-Russian separatists in its Transdniestria region for military readiness.

Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting a coup to oust her. The Kremlin says she is fomenting Russophobia.

Before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the bulk of Moldovan energy needs came from a single Soviet-era pipeline controlled by the Russian state-owned gas monopoly, Gazprom.

The Moldovan government took steps to reduce its reliance on Russian gas and strengthen its energy security.

Sandu has also said that Chisinau could press ahead with its bid to join the EU without Transdniestria, which split from Moldova before the collapse of Soviet rule and fought a brief war against the newly independent state lying between Ukraine and Romania.

Transdniestria, which lies on Moldova's eastern fringe, has since seen little turmoil or violence -- 2,000 Russian "peacekeepers" remain on the line separating the two. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Moldova's foreign minister announced his resignation on Wednesday, saying he had fulfilled his objective of steering the country towards the European Union, a process that pro-Russian separatists in the country have threatened to fight.

Moldova's foreign minister announced his resignation on Wednesday, saying he had fulfilled his objective of steering the country towards the European Union, a process that pro-Russian separatists in the country have threatened to fight. The small former Soviet republic led by pro-European president Maia Sandu was given the green light by the EU in December to open negotiations on joining the 27-nation bloc along with neighbouring Ukraine. Both countries face a long process involving changes to meet EU standards, which Nicu Popescu, who became foreign minister in 2021, noted had been going on for several years. "I have completed all obligations to integrate Moldova into the EU which were set by President Maia Sandu. I need a pause," minister Nicu Popescu told a media briefing. Analysts praised Popescu's role in supporting Sandu's efforts to move the country closer to the EU and said he was resigning to spend more time with his family living in France. His resignation comes at a sensitive time for Moldova, where a duty on imports and exports introduced in the New Year were met this week by a call from pro-Russian separatists in its Transdniestria region for military readiness. Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting a coup to oust her. The Kremlin says she is fomenting Russophobia. Before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the bulk of Moldovan energy needs came from a single Soviet-era pipeline controlled by the Russian state-owned gas monopoly, Gazprom. The Moldovan government took steps to reduce its reliance on Russian gas and strengthen its energy security. Sandu has also said that Chisinau could press ahead with its bid to join the EU without Transdniestria, which split from Moldova before the collapse of Soviet rule and fought a brief war against the newly independent state lying between Ukraine and Romania. Transdniestria, which lies on Moldova's eastern fringe, has since seen little turmoil or violence -- 2,000 Russian "peacekeepers" remain on the line separating the two. (With inputs from agencies)

Moldova's foreign minister resigns as country moves towards EU

As the world focuses its attention on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow, as per reports, has nefarious plans to destabilise another neighbour: Moldova. This revelation has been made by the uncovering of secret plans that goes into detail about how Moldova could be destabilised. The clandestine document as per CNN was "obtained and first disclosed by a consortium of media, including VSquare and Frontstory, RISE Moldova, Expressen in Sweden, the Dossier Centre for Investigative Journalism and other outlets." The document which, as per the report, was written in 2021 by the Russian security service FSB, lays out a detailed plan to go about the destabilisation.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;US&nbsp;Intelligence: Russian actors may help manufacture protests

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Moscow will reportedly employ strategies like supporting pro-Russian groups, making use of the nation's orthodox church and threatening to cut off supplies of natural gas after making Moldova dependent on Russian supplies, as moves to sabotage the country.

Titled "Strategic objectives of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova," the FSB secret plans set out a 10-year strategy to bring the former Soviet republic nation to its knees.

Five pages long and divided into short, medium and long-term aims, the secret document goes into detail about how to bring Moldova into the Russian sphere of influence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-fomenting-protests-to-overthrow-pro-western-moldovan-government-claims-us-570919">Russia fomenting protests to overthrow pro-western Moldovan government, claims US</a>

Immediate goals include, "support for Moldovan political forces advocating constructive relations with the Russian Federation," and "neutralisation of the initiatives of the Republic of Moldova aimed at eliminating the Russian military presence in Transnistria."

Medium-term goals talk of opposing "the expansionist policy of Romania in the Republic of Moldova" and the "cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and NATO."

Long-term goals include the "creation of stable pro-Russian groups of influence in the Moldovan political and economic elites" and forming of negative attitudes towards NATO.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moldova-doesnt-face-imminent-danger-from-russia-defence-minister-571674">Moldova doesn't face 'imminent' danger from Russia: defence minister</a>

Reportedly, Kremlin has denied any knowledge of the secret plans to destabilise Moldova. As per CNN, when asked about the FSB document, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that they "know nothing of the existence of such a plan," and remarked that it may be "another fake."

"I do not rule out that this is another fake. Russia has always been and remains open to building good-neighbourly, mutually beneficial relations, including with Moldova," he said, labelling Moldovan&nbsp;leadership's concerns as "completely unjustified and unfounded prejudices against Moscow."

"We are very sorry that the current leadership of Moldova is experiencing completely unjustified and unfounded prejudices against Moscow."

(With inputs from agencies)

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As the world focuses its attention on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow, as per reports, has nefarious plans to destabilise another neighbour: Moldova.

As the world focuses its attention on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow, as per reports, has nefarious plans to destabilise another neighbour: Moldova. This revelation has been made by the uncovering of secret plans that goes into detail about how Moldova could be destabilised. The clandestine document as per CNN was "obtained and first disclosed by a consortium of media, including VSquare and Frontstory, RISE Moldova, Expressen in Sweden, the Dossier Centre for Investigative Journalism and other outlets." The document which, as per the report, was written in 2021 by the Russian security service FSB, lays out a detailed plan to go about the destabilisation. Watch | US Intelligence: Russian actors may help manufacture protests Moscow will reportedly employ strategies like supporting pro-Russian groups, making use of the nation's orthodox church and threatening to cut off supplies of natural gas after making Moldova dependent on Russian supplies, as moves to sabotage the country. Titled "Strategic objectives of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova," the FSB secret plans set out a 10-year strategy to bring the former Soviet republic nation to its knees. Five pages long and divided into short, medium and long-term aims, the secret document goes into detail about how to bring Moldova into the Russian sphere of influence. Also read | Russia fomenting protests to overthrow pro-western Moldovan government, claims US Immediate goals include, "support for Moldovan political forces advocating constructive relations with the Russian Federation," and "neutralisation of the initiatives of the Republic of Moldova aimed at eliminating the Russian military presence in Transnistria." Medium-term goals talk of opposing "the expansionist policy of Romania in the Republic of Moldova" and the "cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and NATO." Long-term goals include the "creation of stable pro-Russian groups of influence in the Moldovan political and economic elites" and forming of negative attitudes towards NATO. Also read | Moldova doesn't face 'imminent' danger from Russia: defence minister Reportedly, Kremlin has denied any knowledge of the secret plans to destabilise Moldova. As per CNN, when asked about the FSB document, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that they "know nothing of the existence of such a plan," and remarked that it may be "another fake." "I do not rule out that this is another fake. Russia has always been and remains open to building good-neighbourly, mutually beneficial relations, including with Moldova," he said, labelling Moldovan leadership's concerns as "completely unjustified and unfounded prejudices against Moscow." "We are very sorry that the current leadership of Moldova is experiencing completely unjustified and unfounded prejudices against Moscow." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Clandestine document reveals Russia's secret plans to destabilise neighbour Moldova over a 10 year period

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WION Dispatch: Moldova’s hopes for wine tourism boom hit badly

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Moldova's foreign minister resigns as country moves towards EU

Clandestine document reveals Russia's secret plans to destabilise neighbour Moldova over a 10 year period

WION Dispatch: Moldova’s hopes for wine tourism boom hit badly