Vladimir Putin rescinded a decree recognizing Moldova's sovereignty in resolving the dispute over the Moscow-backed breakaway region of Transnistria.
The decree, enacted in 2012 when Russia's relations with the West were relatively at a better level, was rescinded by Moscow officially "to safeguard Russia's national interests" following "profound changes taking place in international relations". according to the Kremlin website.
Transnistria is a Russian-speaking region that is not internationally recognized as independent.
Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, it broke away from Moldova amid fears it would merge with Romania.
A 1992 war between newly independent Moldova and separatists brought Russian "peacekeepers" to the region.
Alexandru Flenchea, chairman of Moldova's joint control committee in the security zone around Transnistria, insisted that Moldova and Russia had a political agreement that "provides for mutual respect for the territorial integrity of our countries," Reuters reported.
There are reports that Putin's move follows the plan to destabilize Moldova.
Last week, citing Ukrainian intelligence, its president, Maya Sadou, accused Moscow of plotting to topple her government.
Also, Ukrainian President V. Zelensky said that Russia was planning to seize the airport in Chisinau with Paratroopers to open a new front in Ukraine from Transnistria.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean confirmed the rumor, but told local media that despite "many destabilizing scenarios...our institutions are ready to face such challenges."
Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicolae Popescu played down the Russian threat to his country, telling the Financial Times that due to Ukrainian resistance, "we do not see the risk of military scenarios in the near future on the border with Moldova", although there was a threat from Russia for "hybrid subversive actions".
President Sadu's pro-Western government has the support of the European Union and the US, and the Moldovan president met with President Joe Biden in Warsaw.
The White House reaffirmed "strong US support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova."
Sadu tweeted her thanks to Biden "for his unwavering support for Moldova and for standing in solidarity with us," suggesting that Chisinau can count on US support against the threat from Russia.
Since 2017, it has become known that a new front is being opened by the USA in Romania (they have a base and Moldova) with the immediate and main goal of expelling the Russian armed forces based in Transnistria...at all costs.
The Americans are preparing forces and a base in Moldova, raising opposition within the country and intervention by the country's president.
A Russian television network had reported that the US Navy is looking for contractors to build new military facilities in Moldova in the village of Bulboaca, which means there is a plan for a strong NATO presence in the Black Sea.
Also, Moldova's constitutional court has ruled for years that Russian peacekeepers should immediately leave Transnistria.
The scenarios that appear from the side of NATO for Moldova are quite a few, but they all come to one conclusion.
"Russian troops must be expelled from the region at all costs."
Many international analysts and experts believe that Moldova will soon be the next "hot" front between Russia and NATO.
