Putin ordered Russia to ‘break NATO and EU apart from within’ in 2026

In December 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his intelligence agencies and military to "break NATO and the European Union apart from within" in 2026, according to a report by The New York Times.

Prior to this secret meeting, Putin had given a contrasting message at a public address to Russia's military leadership in December. During that speech, Putin criticized European leaders for "stoking hysteria" over the perceived threat from Russia.

Strategically, Moldova plays a pivotal role in the Kremlin's plan to fracture the EU and NATO. While Moldova itself is not a member of either organization, its location between Ukraine and NATO territory makes it a prime target for Russia. Control of Moldova would provide Russia with an advantageous base for future military operations against Ukraine or the West, sources told The Times.

Putin's ultimate objective includes seizing portions of southern Ukraine and establishing a land corridor linking Russia with Moldova. Evidence of this intent surfaced in early March when Russian forces launched a strike on a Ukrainian hydroelectric power plant near Moldova, contaminating water supplies across both nations.

Subsequently, Russian drones targeted a high-voltage power line supplying up to 70% of Moldova's electricity, triggering widespread blackouts in the country. U.S. intelligence sources believe Putin may test NATO's collective defense commitment by striking a member state between fall 2026 and 2029. Carsten Breuer, Germany's top military commander, stated that Russia is employing drones to map European air defenses and exploit identified weaknesses.