Republik Moldau

Three pro-European Moldovan deputies and the the Interior Minister have been banned from entering Russia, and a Moldovan diplomat has been expelled, as tensions worsen between the two countries.

The Council today established the EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The objective of this civilian mission is to enhance the resilience of the security sector of the country in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

Moldova expressed concern on Friday after Russian soldiers stationed in the breakaway region of Transnistrian, participating in the peacekeeping mission in the buffer zone between Moldova and the region, undertook military manoeuvres without seeking Chisinau’s consent.

EU countries have drawn up sanctions targeting Moldovan oligarchs trying to overturn the pro-Western government in Chișinău. The new 14-page legal "framework for targeted restrictive measures" was circulated by the EU Commission to capitals on Monday (17 April).

Moldovan border police barred a Russian delegation from entering the country to campaign for a candidate running for governor of the country’s pro-Russian region of Gagauzia.

President Maia Sandu called on the public to take to the streets in May to show there is widespread support for EU membership ahead of a summit of European leaders in Moldova. … In February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that “Moldova could have the fate of Ukraine” if it continues collaborating with the West.

Called the EU Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova), the team of civilian advisors is to be set up using a "fast-track" process for an initial period of two years, "with a view to launching the mission at the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 May 2023," according to an internal EU memo.

After investigative media in Moldova released an alleged 2021 official Kremlin strategy to unseat the pro-Western government, ruling party MPs called for 'pro-active policies' to counter its goals.

Moldova does not currently face “imminent military danger” but is subject to “hybrid warfare generated by Russia” that is designed to overthrow its government, its defense minister said on Monday. … The White House on Friday accused Russia of seeking to destabilize Moldova in order to install a pro-Russian government there.

President Vladimir Putin revoked on Tuesday a 2012 decree that in part underpinned Moldova's sovereignty in resolving the future of the Transdniestria region - a Moscow-backed separatist region which borders Ukraine and where Russia keeps troops.