Republic of Moldova

A court in Chisinau, Moldova on Tuesday handed down a seven-year prison sentence to Evghenia Gutul, the pro-Russian governor of Gagauzia, for her role in a large-scale scheme to smuggle funds from Russia into Moldova.

[…] This policy brief examines the EU’s role in resolving conflicts in breakaway and occupied territories within eastern candidate countries. … The paper argues the EU should draw up a strategy that directly accounts for the breakaway and occupied regions of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria as part of eastern candidate countries’ membership journey.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Wednesday accused Russia of planning an “unprecedented” campaign to interfere in the country’s September parliamentary election, warning of a large-scale effort involving illegal financing, cyberattacks and disinformation.

Four left-wing and center-left parties in Moldova will unite in a pro-Russian electoral bloc for the upcoming parliamentary elections, Moldovan media outlet NewsMaker reported on July 22. … The new bloc includes the Socialist Party, the Communist Party, the Heart of Moldova, and the Future of Moldova parties. 

Moldova’s police on Tuesday said it had received confirmation through Interpol in Athens that Greek authorities had detained the fugitive oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, an internationally sanctioned figure on the run since 2019. … Once regarded as the most powerful man in Moldova, Plahotniuc has been accused of running the country as a personal fiefdom, manipulating the judiciary, controlling media outlets and exerting a deep influence over political and economic institutions.

[…] The new designations target close associates of Ilan Shor, already listed by the EU due to his involvement in the illegal financing of political parties in the Republic of Moldova and for incitement to violence.

As Russia wages war and engages in ‘hybrid conflict’ in Ukraine and south-east Europe, cooperation between Ukraine, Romania and Moldova is growing. But some issues that still divide the three neighbours are yet to be resolved, experts warn. 

Moldova is hosting its first EU summit in Chisinau on Friday, marking a key moment in the country’s push to join the European Union. Russian disinformation, energy security and trade ties are expected to top the agenda. 

In a historic first, the European Union will hold a summit with Moldova in Chisinau on July 4, a move signaling deeper political ties. A draft of the summit declaration, seen by RFE/RL, says such meetings will become a regular feature of EU-Moldova relations.

The Council adopted a decision extending the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM) for a further two years, until 31 May 2027, with a budget allocation of over €19.8million for the period. The Council also decided to adjust EUPM Moldova’s mandate to increase the provision of strategic advice to the Moldovan authorities in the security sector. The decision was taken in the wake of the Strategic Review of the mission.