Tag "Moldova"
Europe’s Energy Dependence on Russia Leaves Moldova Vulnerable
The global surge in demand for natural gas following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions has had a devastating impact on Moldova’s energy security. Chisinau had no choice but to enter into negotiations with the Russian state-owned gas giant, Gazprom, to restore its energy supplies. As Russia is set to increase its share of European gas imports in Nord Stream 2, the EU must find a way to help protect Moldova from further Russian pressure.
Implications of the Moldova’s New Pro-Western Leadership
Moldova, an Eastern European post-soviet state stagnated by an internal frozen conflict, has had its aspirations towards greater cooperation with Europe and the West often challenged by its own old pro-Russian political elite. However, Maya Sandu’s election as President in late in 2020 marks a major shift in the state, just a year after she was ousted as Prime Minister by the PSRM (Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova) party over the appointment of a General Prosecutor.
Recovery from Covid-19 in Eastern Partnership Countries Faces Political Hurdles
With the support of the European Union, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced in December a scaling up of its financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. However, potential for economic recovery from the pandemic in the region is undermined by EU marginalisation of issues in corruption and Russian subversion capabilities. It is unlikely that sustainable private-sector growth will be realised until the EBRD fiscal approach is complemented with a strategy to address these political challenges.
The EU’s Eastern partnership summit: pragmatism and realpolitik
On 24 November, the 5th Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit took place in Brussels. Security issues dominated the summit, while EU membership was off the table.
Pro-Russian wins in Bulgaria and Moldova: Ideology or pragmatism?
Last month, Bulgaria and Moldova elected pro-Russian presidential candidates. What do these victories signify: a reversal of ideological loyalties away from NATO and the EU and towards Russia, a public outcry against the corruption of the pro-Western governing elites, or a new era of ‘pivot states,’ which try to balance out their allegiances? A guest post by Dr. Gergana Dimova.
Are we seeing the end of anti-Russian sanctions?
Upcoming EU elections promise to see greater prominence of pro-Russian candidates, undermining Europe’s efforts to renew is Russian sanctions in 2017.
The Moldovan election: A quiet country at an important crossroads
Europe is full of loud stories, and yet beneath the noise there are first time democratic elections shifting the tide of East-West relations, like Moldova.
Opinion: Putin’s political calculus in Syria harms Russian interests
In precluding cooperation with NATO in the pursuit of a number of narrow and limited benefits, Putin is missing the greater benefits of what Russia could achieve by working with,
Crisis in Moldova presents opportunity for Russia
Moldova, a small country bordering Ukraine and Romania, has seen its government dismissed after weeks of protests in what has been called ‘Moldova’s Maidan’. Although the EU is preoccupied with
Moldova: The other European country going bankrupt
Moldova, a country of 3.5 million on the brink of bankruptcy, risks becoming a failed state. This would increase instability on the EU’s eastern borders by handing Russia another opportunity
