The country Putin wants to destroy next Hundreds of unexplained sightings in the sky: NASA is officially dealing with UFOs

It is the poorest country in Europe and one of the smallest – but for several reasons at the center of public opinion in the world: the Republic of Moldova. The mini-state with a total area of ​​about 34,000 square kilometers and about 2.5 million inhabitants borders Romania (and thus the European Union) in the west and Ukraine in the north, south and east. Half of Moldovans have a Romanian passport.

But not only this “sandwich” position arouses geopolitical desires. Moldova is a former Soviet republic. And one of those who no longer accept Moscow’s secret dictate to always be on good terms with Russia. At the end of 2020, pro-European economist Maia Sandu won the presidential election over pro-Russian incumbent Igor Dodon.

Since then, the government in Moscow has been doing everything it can to patronize the country. In doing so, it relies on a proven instrument of power: the energy supply. In 2022, Moldova still obtained 80 percent of its gas from Russia. In the winter, the Kremlin cut off gas supply, reportedly because of “transit problems” through Ukraine. The result: exploding energy prices in a country where the average monthly salary is the equivalent of 220 euros. This caused unrest among the population. Anti-government protests have been going on for months, officially organized by the opposition, but according to police backed by Russian troops.

The conflict in Transnistria is getting worse. The breakaway region is located in the east of the country on the border between Moldova and Ukraine, declared independence in 1992, but is actually politically and economically controlled by Moscow. About 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed in the narrow strip of land.

Lavrov denounces Moldova as an “anti-Russian project”

Moldova’s president Sandu warned in February that Russia could try to overthrow the government in the capital Chisinau and replace it with a regime loyal to the Kremlin. In the same month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced Moldova as an “anti-Russian project” of the West.

In March, a strategy paper purportedly emanating from the Kremlin became public. Five pages describe how pro-Russian tendencies in the country can be strengthened and how Moldova can be dissuaded from rapprochement with the West. Carrot and stick is the motto. Pro-Russian behavior should be “rewarded” with economic aid, cooperation with NATO and the European Union should be “punished”.

Distance learning aims to ensure that more Moldovan children learn Russian. There is already a significant minority in the country who speak Russian as their mother tongue. The newspaper also makes it clear that from a Russian perspective, the Republic of Moldova is a symbolic arena for the struggle against the West.

Last hope EU

The last hope for the Moldovan government is: the EU. In March 2022, the government applied for membership. In June, Moldova was granted candidate status, as was Ukraine. Like the neighboring country attacked by Russia, they hope to join in 2030. In May, President Sandu called for a pro-European demonstration. Tens of thousands of people turned up.

This Thursday, all EU heads of state and government and other European leaders will gather at the Mimi Castle near the capital Chisinau to express their solidarity with the republic at the European Political Community summit. Also present are Federal President Alain Berset and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The government hopes that “the summit will have a positive effect on the mood at home,” says Brigitta Triebel, head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) office in Moldova: “The photos of Mimi Castle should also inspire the local population. show that Moldova is recognized on the international stage as a reliable partner and that Europe can become a reality for the country.” It is rumored that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may also attend, but this has not been officially confirmed.

It is unclear how the Moscow government will respond to the summit meeting. “Russia will see everything as a provocation and as an attack on its own sphere of influence,” says KAS expert Triebel. Violations of Moldovan airspace may occur in response, as has been the case in the past. But the real danger lies elsewhere. “If a pro-Russian government comes to power in Moldova, it means a new front for Ukraine,” says Brigitta Triebel. And in the west, Russia would extend its sphere of influence to the border with Romania, thereby becoming an EU and NATO member.