DISINFO: Moldova is controlled by NATO
SUMMARY
From a military-political point of view, Moldova has been controlled by NATO. This is not a secret: since 2006 Moldova has had a strategic plan for partnership with NATO; three alliance centers have been opened in Moldova.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Moldova is not independent in its decisions, but is totally controlled from abroad, including by NATO.
This narrative has been spread periodically over the last two years in the context of the war in Ukraine, with NATO being presented as taking part in the war.
As per its Constitution, Moldova is a neutral country. Since 1992, it participates in various cooperation programmes with NATO, the main focus of NATO’s cooperation with Moldova being to support the country’s efforts to reform and modernize its defence and security structures and institutions. All relevant facts of Moldova-NATO cooperation can be found here and here.
From 2006, Moldova has, at its request, an Individual Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO, adopted by the NATO North Atlantic Council on 19 May, and by the Moldova Parliament on 29 December. This Plan is updated periodically.
NATO has no Representative Offices in the Republic of Moldova. An Information and Documentation Center on NATO operates in Chisinau, which is a non-governmental organization and has the role of informing the population. Two other smaller NATO information points, within the libraries, were previously created in two Universities - the State University of Cahul (South of the country) and the International Free University (private institution). These are information points and by no means NATO command centers, as suggested in the claim.
See here a similar case claiming that Moldova’s leadership is surrendering national interests in favour of NATO.