Ex-CIA Director Says Moldova Could Be Putin's Next Target

Former CIA Director David Petraeus has suggested that Moldova could become the next target of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He made the remarks in an interview with Digi24, cited by Ukrainska Pravda and European Pravda.

According to Petraeus, Moldova is less prepared for a potential Russian attack than the Baltic states, whose vulnerability to Russian aggression has long been a subject of discussion. He also pointed out that Moldova is not a NATO member, which leaves it more exposed.

Putin's goal to rebuild the Soviet Union

Petraeus stressed that Putin is continually trying to recreate the Soviet Union. He said he does not believe Lithuania will be the next country targeted, arguing Moldova is a far more likely candidate because of its greater vulnerability.

The former intelligence chief also stated that most European countries are not prepared for a possible Russian invasion, noting that none of them has introduced genuinely significant changes to their security, defense, or war-fighting concepts.

Comments follow train attack

Petraeus's remarks came shortly after Russia struck the locomotive of a passenger train traveling the Kyiv–Warsaw route, as well as a truck near the border between Ukraine and Poland. Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) said that Petraeus himself was aboard another train that happened to be at Yahodyn station at the moment of the attack.