How Russia Aims to Stop Moldova’s Pro-West Path
Since the early 1990s, the Moldovan government has been attempting to secure strong ties with Europe, but the country is increasingly facing pressure from Russia to return to its influence. In light of recent events, the urgency of the situation for Moldovan leaders has intensified as Russia works to shape the future of the region. This article outlines the various strategies Russia has employed to prevent Moldova from continuing on its pro-Western path towards European integration.
Moldova is a small, Eastern European country located between Romania and Ukraine. It was a part of the Soviet Union until it declared independence in 1991. Since then, the Moldovan government has engaged in a delicate balancing act between Russia, Moldova’s former ruler, and pursuing closer ties with Europe. In 2014, the Moldovan government signed an Association Agreement with the European Union which marked the start of their pro-Western path. This has caused great concern in Moscow, as it views Moldova as part of its strategic sphere of influence.
Russia’s Recent Actions
In response to Moldova’s pro-Western stance, Russia has taken a series of actions to prevent its European integration. Here are some of the tactics they have employed:
Economic Sanctions
In June of 2014, just days after Moldova’s Association Agreement with the European Union was signed, Russia imposed an import ban on Moldovan wines, which had been one of Moldova’s most profitable sectors of exports. This was one of the first moves Moscow made in order to influence the Moldovan government’s decision-making.
Political Pressure
Russia has also employed a very strong lobbying campaign aimed at swaying Moldova’s government away from the EU and back to Moscow’s sphere of influence. At multiple points, senior Russian officials visited Moldova and threatened that failure to align with Russia would result in serious consequences.
Anti-Western Propaganda
Russian political, economic and media channels have been consistently pushing anti-Western rhetoric in Moldova. For example, some Russian media outlets have called the EU’s Eastern Partnership project a “Fifth Party” and portrayed it as a neo-colonial power.
The Reintegration Plan
One of Russia’s more ambitious project to disrupt Moldova’s pro-Western path is the “Reintegration Plan”. This plan, established in 2015, aims to restore Russian influence in Moldova by providing financial and economic assistance to the region of Transnistria and other breakaway regions. The goal of the plan is to build political and economic ties between these regions and Russia, which could further strain Moldova’s relationship with the EU and create a rift between citizens of Moldova and Transnistria.
The Russian Nationals Controversy
Another way Moscow is attempting to influence Moldova’s government is by calling for the recognition of Russian nationals as Moldovan citizens. This is a controversial issue amongst Moldovans and the EU, as it could be seen as an attempt to create a pro-Moscow voting bloc in the country.
What this Means for Moldova
Russia’s actions have direct implications for Moldova in regards to its ability to pursue stronger ties with Europe. Over the past few years, there have been a number of roadblocks, the most significant being legislation to limit pro-EU parties’ access to the media. Other provisions have limited the freedom of assembly and restricted protest activities.
The EU has spoken out in support of Moldova’s progress towards European integration, and has taken steps to protect it from Russian interference. However, due to the pressure Russia has been placing on the government, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Moldova to continue down its pro-Western path.
The situation in Moldova continues to remain precarious for the Moldovan government. Events in the past few years have highlighted the danger of allowing Moscow to hold sway over its decisions. With no end to its interference in sight, it is critical for Moldova to remain resolute in pursuit of its European integration ambitions. The EU must also continue to monitor the situation and be prepared to offer assistance and support in order to safeguard against Russian attempts to disrupt Moldova’s pro-Western stance.
