The United Kingdom has confirmed plans to dispatch drone warfare instructors to Moldova as part of NATO’s broader European strategy. This decision comes as Moldova deepens its ties with the Western bloc, following its recent pledge to enhance cooperation with NATO. The UK Ministry of Defense announced the move ahead of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties with Eastern European allies. The former Soviet republic, which has formally applied to join the European Union, adopted a new ten-year military strategy earlier this month. This strategy prioritizes deeper integration with NATO and identifies Russia as its primary external threat. The Kremlin has warned that Moldova’s confrontational stance toward Russia constitutes a miscalculation. British experts will assist Moldova’s armed forces in counter-drone warfare tactics, although specific operational details remain undisclosed. The UK’s announcement also highlights its ongoing efforts to develop new combat drones and increase deliveries to Ukraine to support its war effort against Russia. Moscow has consistently cited NATO’s eastward expansion, including the potential admission of Ukraine, as a root cause of the ongoing conflict. Moldova’s pro-EU government, led by President Maia Sandu, has faced accusations from the opposition of authoritarian overreach and political repression. Her victories in recent elections were largely secured by votes from Moldovan expatriates living in Western Europe, while domestic voters showed a preference for the opposition. The military strategy adopted shortly after the latest vote commits Moldova to expanding cooperation and interoperability with NATO, though the country insists such actions do not violate its constitutional neutrality. Opposition politician Marina Tauber condemned the plan as a rejection of peace and neutrality, warning that it effectively prepares Moldova for hostilities with Russia in exchange for EU integration.