Republic of Moldova

Moldova has signed a security and defence partnership with the European Union, the first country to agree such a deal with the bloc, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday. … In March, [President Maia] Sandu signed a defence cooperation accord with France, warning that Russia was renewing efforts to destabilise Moldova and that if President Vladimir Putin was not stopped in Ukraine he would keep going.

Moldova’s Justice Ministry asked a Chisinau court on Wednesday (15 May) to place restrictions on political activities by the pro-Russian Chance party (“Șansă”), which opposes the government’s drive for the ex-Soviet state to join the European Union by 2030.

Norway and Moldova on May 7 signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation in the energy sector and step up the Southeastern European country's energy security. … Moldova's energy sector has been reliant on Russia ever since the former Soviet republic declared independence in 1991, and Russia, through its state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom, has used Chisinau's dependence on Russian supplies as a tool for political pressure.

The Council today decided to prolong the restrictive measures against those responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, until 29 April 2025.

Chisinau authorities slate secessionist regime's plan to erect another 'peacekeeping post' in the buffer zone between them, calling it a 'useless manoeuvre"

Prosecutors say pro-Kremlin governor was involved in the systemic smuggling of Russian money into Moldova to buy voters and support political groups linked to the convicted oligarch Ilan Shor.

Ilan Shor said his new 'Victory' political bloc will campaign for an end to EU integration and for closer ties to Russia – which he called Moldova's 'traditional partner'. … The new bloc brings together representatives of the Renaissance, Sansa, Alternative Force and Salvare a Moldova and Victoria parties. The Sansa Party is the successor to the Shor Party, which was declared unconstitutional in June 2023.

The referendum will take place on October 20, simultaneously with the first round of presidential elections. President Maia Sandu initiated the referendum, and all pro-European parties have announced their involvement in citizens’ information actions related to it. 

The Moldovan government will respond after the country’s pro-Russian ex-President Igor Dodon complained to the European Court of Human Rights that the pro-European authorities in Chisinau abused his right to a fair trial.

Today the Council adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) in support of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova …, with the objective of enhancing national security, stability and resilience in the defence sector.