Moldova's pro-EU President Sandu accuses Russia of coup plot

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Moldova's president has accused Russia of plotting to use foreign "saboteurs" to overthrow her pro-EU government.

Maia Sandu nominated a new prime minister on Friday, Dorin Recean, who is pro-EU like his predecessor.

President Sandu said the "plot" would involve "protests by the so-called opposition", aiming to "overthrow the constitutional order".

Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine has put Moldova - one of Europe's poorest countries - under great strain.

Last week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv's intelligence service had uncovered a Russian plan to destroy Moldova.

Moldova, wedged between Romania and Ukraine, became a candidate for EU membership last summer. The country of 2.6 million people has struggled with an influx of refugees from Ukraine and tensions with Transnistria, a breakaway pro-Moscow region where some 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed.