Former CIA chief named Moldova as one of Russia's possible targets
Moldova could become Russia's next target if aggression in Europe expands further, former CIA director and ex-commander of American forces David Petraeus believes. In his assessment, the country is more vulnerable than the Baltic states, partly due to its lack of NATO membership.
Petraeus made the statement during a recent appearance, Romanian TV channel Digi24 reports.
The former CIA chief believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin still seeks to restore Russian influence over the territory of the former Soviet Union. Against this backdrop, Petraeus named Moldova precisely as a more likely target than, say, Lithuania.
“Putin is constantly trying to restore the Soviet Union. I do not think the next country will be Lithuania. Moldova is far more likely because it is significantly more vulnerable in that regard,” – Petraeus said.
One of the key factors, he argues, is Moldova's position outside NATO. Unlike Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the republic is not protected by the North Atlantic Alliance's collective defense commitment.
Moldova maintains a neutrality status enshrined in its Constitution and is not a NATO member. At the same time, Chișinău cooperates with the Alliance in reforming the defense sector, increasing the resilience of state institutions, cyber defense and military training. After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO also expanded support programs for the country.
Petraeus simultaneously criticized the level of preparedness of European states for possible future conflicts. In his view, European armies have not yet undergone transformations corresponding to the changes that have occurred in the nature of modern warfare.
“European countries are not ready. None of them has made the revolutionary changes needed in warfighting, defense and security concepts,” the former CIA director said.
In recent months, Petraeus has repeatedly called on Western states to more quickly alter the structure of their armed forces, taking into account the experience of Russia's war against Ukraine. He pointed, in particular, to the mass use of drones, electronic warfare means, artificial intelligence and rapidly updated battle management systems. In his assessment, these changes require not a gradual modernization, but a substantial restructuring of military institutions.
This is not the first time Petraeus has issued a warning regarding Moldova. As early as January 2024, he said that if Russia achieved its goals in Ukraine, Moscow could turn its attention to Moldova or one of the Baltic states. In his current statement, he specifically stressed Moldova's greater vulnerability compared to NATO members.
Meanwhile, the republic continues its rapprochement with the European Union. Accession negotiations for Moldova officially began in 2024, and in summer 2026 the sides opened negotiating clusters, including the external, defense and security policy block.
Based on materials from: Digi24, NATO, Council of the EU
