Moldova

Since its independence, Moldova has sat on the divide between East and West. The Moldovan government has moved fitfully toward an open society and market economy, while Moscow has supported separatists in the region of Transnistria. Pro-Western groups took power in 2010, but widespread corruption led to a domestic crisis and a 2019 election bringing to power both pro-Western and pro-Kremlin parties.

Content

UkraineAlert

Mar 10, 2026

Russian talk of protecting compatriots masks Putin’s imperial ambitions

By Agnia Grigas

Four years after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the international debate about how the war should end remains haunted by myths first promoted by the Kremlin more than a decade ago, writes Agnia Grigas.

Belarus Central Asia

UkraineAlert

Dec 23, 2025

Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

By Peter Dickinson

Putin has again vowed to "liberate Russia's historical lands" via negotiations or military means. The list of countries that could qualify as "historically Russian" in Putin's revisionist worldview is long and extends far beyond Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Central Europe Conflict

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2025

Moldova’s ongoing legal disputes with investors could jeopardize its EU hopes

By Suriya Evans-Pritchard Jayanti

The list of lawsuits brought by aggrieved foreign investors who claim their efforts to do business in the country have been stymied is long and growing.

Corruption European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2025

How Moldova’s democracy succeeded against Russian interference

By Olin L. Wethington

The recent election demonstrated that parties committed to democracy and European alignment can triumph at the ballot box despite Russian tactics.

Elections Moldova

UkraineAlert

Oct 4, 2025

Putin’s Moldova election failure highlights Russia’s declining influence

By Kateryna Odarchenko

Russia's failed bid to sway recent elections in Moldova underscores the challenges Putin faces as he seeks to reassert Russian dominance over countries once ruled from the Kremlin at a time when Moscow’s ability to project power is increasingly in question, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.

Conflict Corruption

Fast Thinking

Sep 29, 2025

Moldova’s pro-EU ruling party won despite Russian interference. Now what? 

By Atlantic Council

Moldova’s pro-Western ruling party has won a parliamentary majority. Our experts share their perspectives on what’s next for the country’s path to European Union accession.

Disinformation Elections

New Atlanticist

Sep 26, 2025

Dispatch from Chișinău: Will Russia’s political pincer move put Moldova’s EU hopes in jeopardy?

By John E. Herbst

Ahead of parliamentary elections in Moldova on September 28, Moscow appears to be throwing its weight behind two political parties to pull support from the party currently in power.

Elections European Union

UkraineAlert

Sep 22, 2025

Moldova accuses Russia of election interference ahead of key vote

By Aidan Stretch

Moldova is raising the alarm over Russian interference ahead of this weekend's parliamentary election amid fears that a pro-Kremlin victory could derail Moldova's EU ambitions and create a new front in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, writes Aidan Stretch.

Conflict Corruption

New Atlanticist

Jan 10, 2025

Moldova is the real loser from the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine

By Suriya Evans-Pritchard Jayanti

The energy crisis in Moldova after the end of Russian gas transit highlights the urgent need for Chișinău to reform its energy sector.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

Transcript

Nov 21, 2024

Congressman Michael McCaul on why a deal with Russia on Ukraine must have ‘enforcement’

McCaul addressed the threat that Russian aggression poses to US interests, highlighting Moscow’s expanding alliances with North Korea, Iran, and China.

Conflict Crisis Management

Experts