skip to contentAdvertisementBy: Express Web Desk September 23, 2025 10:02 PM IST First published on: Sep 23, 2025 at 10:02 PM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookNATO forces are now concentrating in Romania near Moldova, with a first group already in Odessa. (Screengrab: X/NATO forces are now concentrating in Romania near Moldova, with a first group already in Odessa)Russia’s foreign intelligence service has claimed that NATO troops are preparing for a “landing” in Ukraine as part of a wider plan by the European Union to “occupy” Moldova, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Tuesday.The comments come just days before Moldova’s parliamentary elections on September 28, which are widely seen as a choice between closer ties with the European Union or Russia.‼️ Europe is preparing to occupy Moldova — Russia‘s Foreign Intel ServiceNATO forces are now concentrating in Romania near Moldova, with a first group already in OdessaBrussels won’t abandon these plans, even if Moldova’s post-election situation doesn’t require intervention pic.twitter.com/abDCEBCsJr— RT (@RT_com) September 23, 2025According to Russian state media, NATO forces have been stationed in Romania near Moldova’s border and could also move into Ukraine’s Odessa region. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said European officials were trying to impose “Russophobic policies” in Moldova “at any cost.”Moldovan authorities have carried out hundreds of raids in recent days. Police said 74 people were detained in connection with an alleged Moscow-backed plot to stage unrest around the vote. Officials said the suspects were trained in Serbia and accused Russia of waging a “hybrid war” through election interference, disinformation and illicit funding of political groups.President Maia Sandu said Moscow was funnelling “hundreds of millions of euros” to sway voters. “Our sovereignty, independence and European future are in danger,” she said.NATO has not directly responded to Russia’s claims but has previously denied expansionist ambitions, saying its support for Ukraine is limited to defence.Analysts say the outcome of Sunday’s vote could determine Moldova’s path toward joining the EU or returning to closer alignment with Moscow.AdvertisementTop story1Trump UNGA Speech Live Updates: US President says China, India primary funders of Ukraine war2‘Firm approved 5,189 H-1B visas, laid off 16,000 Americans’: White House defends fee hike as move to ‘protect US jobs’3India is a relationship of critical importance to US: Rubio after meeting with Jaishankar4After massive protests, ABC ended Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, says the show will return on Tuesday5Donald Trump may replace H-1B lottery with wage-based selection processAdvertisementLoading Taboola...