Russia Is Playing a Long Game in Moldova
On October 20, citizens of the Republic of Moldova will head to the polls for a combined presidential election and referendum on joining the European Union. Ahead of these votes, Moscow has mounted a campaign to support pro-Russian candidates and parties, weaken incumbent President Maia Sandu, and slow Moldova’s moves to align more closely with Europe. Russian interference in Moldovan politics is not a new phenomenon: Moscow ruled Moldova for centuries and still considers it to be part of its exclusive sphere of influence, along with Belarus and Ukraine. For two decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to restore the influence that the Kremlin lost over Moldova after the Soviet Union collapsed, mostly without much success.… Seguir leyendo »