Russia or the EU: where is Moldova headed?
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the Republic of Moldova to mark its Independence Day on Wednesday, appearing together with President Maia Sandu in the capital Chișinău. The country will elect a new parliament on 28 September. The press profiles the small state on the fault line between the EU and Russia.
Fate of a whole region in the hands of a few
RFI România sees the upcoming election as a watershed moment:
“Russia can't accept its former possessions becoming democratic, stable and prosperous countries within the EU. For that would set a dangerous precedent for Russian citizens and pose a threat to the Kremlin regime. That and no other is the real reason for the war. Russia may not have invaded Moldova with tanks, but it came with propaganda, disinformation and networks that influence the elections. ... This is what the parliamentary elections on 28 September are all about. That is when the citizens of the Republic of Moldova will decide their future and the political composition of Eastern Europe. Never before has the fate of an entire region been in the hands of so few people.”
On the right side of history
Moldova has earned the EU's respect, agora.md writes approvingly:
“The presence of such leaders in Chișinău highlights the special attention that the major European powers and key regional players are paying to the Republic of Moldova. A small state without a heavyweight economy or army, the Republic of Moldova has nevertheless secured a place on the international political agenda and earned the respect of its partners. Our country has demonstrated that it can provide security not through abundant resources, but through the courageous decisions taken by a small nation that has chosen to stand on the right side of history.”
Double standards
The pro-Kremlin Moskovsky Komsomolets accuses the visiting troika of exactly what the West accuses Russia of:
“This all brings back dark memories, such as the visits of Western politicians to the Euromaidan demonstrations in 2013–2014. Some may see this as what is known as 'foreign interference in elections'. But from the point of view of the Moldovan authorities, this is apparently 'good' interference. In contrast to Russia's 'bad' interference. In Moldova, people are put in prison for suspected ties to Russia. Direct financing of the election campaign by the EU or Romania, on the other hand, is perfectly acceptable.”
Moscow has no more leverage
The Romanian service of Deutsche Welle notes:
“Russia's invasion of Ukraine followed by the Kremlin's attempt to strangle Moldova's energy supply have prompted Chișinău to end its economic dependence on the country. The EU has stood by the citizens of Moldova during the most difficult moments of the war in this neighbouring country. Today, Chișinău no longer buys even a single cubic metre of gas or kilowatt hour of electricity from Russian companies, and Russia's share of Moldova's exports has fallen below three percent. Russia simply has no economic leverage left to use against Moldova.”
Visitors facing hard times at home
Commenting in France Inter, columnist Pierre Haski sees the balance of power as a worrying factor:
“'Hybrid wars' are difficult to counter, especially if you want to adhere to democratic rules. The election on 28 September will be a decisive test after the controversial vote that caused southern Georgia to switch to the Russian camp last winter. There is also the paradox that the Europeans who will be defending Moldova are not in that good shape themselves: France is on the brink of a political crisis, Poland is struggling with a complex political constellation and Germany has a weak chancellor. From Moscow's point of view, there is no reason to let go of a potential piece of prey like Moldova, despite Maia Sandu and her European friends.”