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https://theconversation.com/moldova-is-trying-to-join-the-eu-but-it-will-have-a-hard-time-breaking-away-from-russias-orbit-206838>
"Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest countries, straddles Ukraine to its east and
European Union countries to its west – placing it in an arguably vulnerable
position in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
But Moldova, a former Soviet republic, is increasingly signaling that it is
aligning itself with the European Union.
Mimi Castle, a wine estate southeast of the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, was the
site of a June 1, 2023, political meeting of European leaders focused on
security and stability in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who
pressed for more Western aid in the fight against Russia, was among the leaders
who attended.
Moldova’s Western-leaning government has accused Russia of trying to block its
entry into the European Union. But a top EU leader said recently that the
organization would welcome Moldova with “open arms and open hearts”.
“Moldova does not want to be blackmailed by the Kremlin,” Moldovan President
Maia Sandu said during a pro-EU political rally in Chisinau on May 22.
“We don’t want to be on the outskirts of Europe anymore,” continued Sandu, who
said her goal is that Moldova joins the EU by 2030.
One major complicating factor for Moldova, though, is that an eastern section
of its territory, Transnistria, has been occupied by Russian troops since 1992.
As a researcher on Eastern Europe, I think it is important to understand the
reasons Moldova might have a hard time breaking away from Russia’s orbit."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
