Moldova’s pro-EU government resigned on February 10 after 18 months in power following a series of economic and political crises largely associated with the war in Ukraine. Moldova, already one of the poorest countries in Europe, has been facing inflation, high energy prices, refugee influx and Russian aggression. In 2022, Russia suddenly reduced its gas supplies to Moldova, which relies 100% on Russian gas and has been putting pressure on the country as they move closer to joining the EU. Moldova was granted EU candidate status in June of 2022, together with Ukraine.

The news of Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita’s resignation came hours after Russian missiles flew over Moldovan airspace headed for Ukraine. Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told EU leaders during the European Council summit on February 9 that Ukraine had intercepted Russian plans to “destroy” Moldova, which Moldovan intelligence services later confirmed.

On February 13, Moldova’s President, Maia Sandu, said in a press conference that Russia wants to stage a coup d’état in the country and called for heightened security measures. She mentioned in her remarks that Russia’s plan included sabotage and military trained people disguised as civilians sent to carry out attacks on government buildings and take hostages. She also said Russia is sending citizens from Russia, Montenegro, Belarus and Serbia to spark protests in Moldova in an attempt to install an illegitimate government controlled by the Russian Federation to stop the EU integration process. The allegations have already been denied by the Russian foreign ministry.

Following the government’s resignation, President Sandu nominated her former defense advisor, Dorin Recean, as the next Prime Minister. The new pro-EU government was approved by Moldova’s parliament on February 16.

This question will resolve positively if AP or Reuters report that there has been an attempted coup d’état in Moldova on or before May 1, 2023.

Russia is planning coup in Moldova, says President Maia Sandu

Russia planned coup in pro-West Moldova, president says

Moldovan PM resigns blaming ‘crises caused by Russian aggression’