Moldova eyes resilience boost amid Russia concerns: Defense budget up
Citing Russia's shadow and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi declared Russia a "major threat" to the country. In an interview with Moldova 1, Nosatîi outlined plans to bolster national resilience:
"The hybrid war Russia wages against us, the illegal troop presence in Transnistria, and ongoing ammunition storage heighten tensions," Nosatîi stated, emphasising the impact on Moldovan citizens.
As a response, Moldova is ramping up its defences. "Investing in our national resilience across all domains is crucial," Nosatîi affirmed. This includes acquiring radar systems and enhancing airspace monitoring.
The minister highlighted a significant budget increase for 2023, reaching 1.7 billion lei (around $0.1billion), a 650 million lei jump from 2022. The planned 2024 budget further underlines this prioritisation, with an expected allocation of 2 billion lei.
Beyond resilience, Nosatîi reaffirmed Moldova's commitment to EU integration and maintaining peace and security.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
