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PARIS (Reuters) - Moldova and France will sign defence and economic cooperation accords during a visit by Moldovan President Maia Sandu to Paris on Thursday, the French presidency said in a statement. Western powers are seeking to increase support for Moldova amid what they fear are increasing efforts by Russia to destabilise Moldova. In parallel to Sandu's visit, Western states will hold an audio call hosted by France to discuss increasing support for Ukraine, but also Moldova. To Ukraine's west, fellow former Soviet republic Moldova has a tiny defence budget and has long had tense relations with Moscow. It added that a defence cooperation agreement and a road map for cooperation in the economic field would be signed during the visit.
Persons: Maia Sandu, Macron, Sandu, John Irish, Kevin Liffey Organizations: PARIS, Moldovan, European Locations: Moldova, France, Paris, Russia, destabilise Moldova, Ukraine, Soviet, Moscow, Transdniestria, Republic of Moldova, Moldovan, European Chisinau
Mikhail Svetlov/Getty ImagesMoscow is continuing its saber-rattling over the pro-Russian region of Transnistria in Moldova, and analysts are saying that while Russian authorities would find it hard to physically reach the breakaway region to annex it, there are still ways it can stir up pro-Russian unrest — and trouble for Moldova. All U.N. members consider the region to be part of Moldova, which has expressed a desire to reintegrate the region. Similarly to Ukraine, Moldova has a pro-Western government and wants to join the European Union. Problematically for Russia, Moldova and Transnistria are landlocked, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine. CNBC has asked the Kremlin to comment on concerns that Moscow could look to destabilize Moldova and is awaiting a response.
Persons: Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Svetlov, Russia, Problematically, it's, Ian Bremmer, doesn't, Maia Sandu, Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Abdoulaye Diop, Maxim Shipenkov, Lavrov, Bogdan Tudor Organizations: Getty, Moldovan, Kremlin, Russia's Defense Ministry, European Union, Eurasia Group, Gazprom, Western, CNBC, Foreign Affairs, Cooperation of, Reuters, Russian, West, RIA Novosti, Google, Russian Federation, Institute for, EU, Afp Locations: Kremlin, Moscow, Russian, Transnistria, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Moldovan, Romania, Cooperation of Mali, Reuters Russia, Central Asia, USSR, Sochi, Donetsk, Luhansk, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Georgia
No country officially recognizes Transnistria, where Russia has kept a steadily dwindling military presence for decades, now standing at around 1,500 troops. Before Wednesday, the congress’ most recent meeting was in 2006, when it passed a referendum calling to join Russia. When Transnistrian politicians unexpectedly announced a new meeting, analysts suggested this could lead to fresh calls for unification with Russia. Russia’s war in Ukraine has had a profound effect on Transnistria’s economy. Minzarari said the dispute had created opportunities for Russian authorities to “fish in troubled waters.”Why is Russia interested in Moldova?
Persons: Vladimir Putin, , Daniel Voda, , Maia Sandu, Dumitru Minzarari, ” Minzarari, Minzarari, Gen, Rustam Minnekaev, Lenin, Anton Polyakov, Putin, Vadim Kranoselsky, ” Ben Dubow Organizations: CNN —, European Union, Kremlin, Novosti, Moldova’s, Transnistria’s, Deputies, Russia, Moldovan, Russia’s, Ministry, CNN, EU, Carnegie Endowment, International, Baltic Defense College, Military Region, Institute for, RIA Novosti, Center for Locations: Moldova, Transnistria, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet, Moldovan, Russia, Tiraspol, Odesa, Maj, Kherson, Russian, US, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kyiv, Transnistrian
CHISINAU (Reuters) - Police on Sunday found fragments of a Russian drone alongside the Moldova border with Ukraine, prompting pro-European President Maia Sandu to renew her support for Kyiv in its nearly two-year-old war with Moscow. The war has buffeted Moldova, with periodic reports of weapon fragments found on the territory of the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. A police statement said the fragments were found near the village of Etulia. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 Images"Russia’s war on Ukraine hits close to home in Moldova — again," Sandu wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Reuters could not independently verify the incident and Russian authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Ronald Popeski, Mark Porter Organizations: Police, Kyiv, European Union, Reuters Locations: CHISINAU, Russian, Moldova, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet, Romania, Russia, Etulia, Ismail, Moldova —
Second Man Jailed in Moldova's 'Fraud of the Century'
  + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com   time to read: +2 min
By Alexander TanasCHISINAU (Reuters) - A Moldovan court jailed a banker for 10 years on Monday, the second man to be sentenced in connection with the ex-Soviet state's "fraud of the century" in which $1 billion was removed from the banking system and taken out of the country. The country's anti-corruption prosecutor announced the sentence handed down on Viorel Birca in connection with the 2014-2015 fraud on charges of mass fraud and "acting in the interests of a criminal group". Moldova's Constitutional Court subsequently outlawed a political party bearing his name. The fraud case continues to reverberate in Moldova's politics a decade after the events. Moldova's parliament last month dismissed central bank chief Octavian Armasu for failing to act to recover the money lost in the scandal.
Persons: Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, Birca, Ilan Shor, Shor, Maia Sandu's, Vlad Plahotniuc, Octavian Armasu, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Stephen Coates Organizations: Moldovan, Journalists, Prosecutors, Banca de Economii, Birca Locations: Soviet, Moldova, Israel, Northern Cyprus
Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian made his comments on national radio as Moldova's pro-European government pressed ahead with its drive to secure European Union membership. "Returning to that format for a peaceful settlement depends on improved relations between Moscow and Kyiv," he said. Prime Minister Dorin Recean on Saturday announced in a video presentation that Cristina Gherasimov, previously foreign ministry secretary of state, would serve as European integration minister and chief negotiator in negotiations on EU membership. Gherasimov will also head a new European Integration Bureau dedicated to proceeding with those talks. Her appointment, and that of new Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi, followed the resignation last week of Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu.
Persons: Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, Oleg Serebrian, Serebrian, Maia Sandu, Russia's, Transdniestria, Dorin Recean, Cristina Gherasimov, Gherasimov, Mihail Popsoi, Nicu Popescu, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Leslie Adler Organizations: European Union, European Affairs, EU, Saturday, Integration Bureau Locations: Russian, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Moscow, Kyiv, Romania, Moldova
Moldova Says Latest Talks With Separatists 'Difficult'
  + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com   time to read: +2 min
By Alexander TanasCHISINAU (Reuters) - A senior official of Moldova's pro-European government said on Wednesday that his latest talks with the pro-Russian separatist Transdniestria region had been "quite difficult" as tension rises in the three-decade-old standoff. The region split from Moldova before the collapse of Soviet rule and fought a brief war against the newly independent state lying between Ukraine and Romania. Moldova's deputy prime minister, Oleg Serebrean, said the latest talks between the sides on Tuesday, in Transdniestria's main town of Tiraspol, had focused on the new tax regime. One-on-one talks with Transdniestria are held under the auspices of the 57-nation Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which has been mediating for decades. They replaced a longstanding "5+2" format in which Russia, Ukraine and the United States participated, along with observers from the EU and the United States.
Persons: Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, Transdniestria, Oleg Serebrean, Serebrean, Maia Sandu, Moldolva, Sandu, Moldova's, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Leslie Adler Organizations: European Union, EU, Russian, Transdniestria, Organisation for Security, United Locations: Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Russian, Transdniestria, Soviet, Transdniestria's, Tiraspol, Chisinau, Moscow, Cyprus, Russia, Europe, United States
Moldova Denounces New Russian Ban on Fruit Imports
  + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com   time to read: +2 min
By Alexander TanasCHISINAU (Reuters) - Pro-European authorities in Moldova on Friday dismissed as groundless a ban imposed by Russia on imports of its fruit and vegetables, the latest display of deteriorating relations between Moscow and the ex-Soviet state. Russia's farm goods oversight agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, said on Thursday it was reinstating restrictions last imposed in 2022. It cited "continuous, systematic observation of elements subject to quarantine" and said Moldovan authorities had taken no action to right the situation. "The decision by the Russian authorities contradicts phytosanitary principles and is in no way grounded in real arguments," it said in a statement. We ship to 28 countries," Iurie Fala, Executive Director of the Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, told Reuters.
Persons: Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, ANSA, Maia Sandu, Sergei Lavrov, Lavrov, Fala, Alexander Tanas, Ronald Popeski, Sandra Maler Organizations: Moldovan, European Union, Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, Reuters Locations: Moldova, Russia, Moscow, Soviet, Ukraine, Romania, Russian
Moldova denounces new Russian ban on fruit imports
  + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCHISINAU, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Pro-European authorities in Moldova on Friday dismissed as groundless a ban imposed by Russia on imports of its fruit and vegetables, the latest display of deteriorating relations between Moscow and the ex-Soviet state. Russia's farm goods oversight agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, said on Thursday it was reinstating restrictions last imposed in 2022. It cited "continuous, systematic observation of elements subject to quarantine" and said Moldovan authorities had taken no action to right the situation. "The decision by the Russian authorities contradicts phytosanitary principles and is in no way grounded in real arguments," it said in a statement. We ship to 28 countries," Iurie Fala, Executive Director of the Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, told Reuters.
Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Maia Sandu, Charles Michel, Valentyn, ANSA, Sergei Lavrov, Lavrov, Fala, Alexander Tanas, Ronald Popeski, Sandra Maler Organizations: European, REUTERS, Rights, Moldovan, European Union, Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Rights CHISINAU, Moldova, Russia, Moscow, Soviet, Romania, Russian
[1/2] The state flag of Moldova (L) flies outside the country's embassy in central Moscow, Russia December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Russia views Moldova's decision to join EU sanctions against it as a hostile step aimed at destroying ties with Moscow and will retaliate, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday. Among its provisions are regulations concerning action to be taken against individuals and institutions subject to sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with the Kremlin's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of trying to oust her in a coup. Moscow denies the allegations and says Sandu is infusing anti-Russian sentiment in the country lying between Ukraine and Romania.
Persons: Maxim, Maia Sandu's, Sandu, Alexander Tanas, Maxim Rodionov, Andrew Osborn, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, EU, European Union, Moldovan, Maia Sandu's Party of Action, Solidarity, Socialist Party, of Europe, European Commission, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Moldova, Moscow, Russia, Russian, Moldovan, Chisinau, Ukraine, Venice, Romania
[1/6] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with President of the European Council Charles Michel, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 21, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European Council chief Charles Michel warned on Tuesday that a European Union meeting next month to decide whether to begin formal accession talks for Kyiv would be difficult. I think this is the decision which will help Ukraine to believe that there is justice...," Zelenskiy told reporters. "All these are big challenges for everyone and already not only for Ukraine, but a challenge for preserving the unity of the European Union," he said. "It will be a difficult meeting but I do not intend to give up," Michel said, adding that the world needed a strong European Union to ensure stability and prosperity.
Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Charles Michel, Michel, Maia Sandu, Zelenskiy, Michel's, Sandu, Boris Pistorius, Tom Balmforth, Yuliia Dysa, Dan Peleschuk, Alexandra Hudson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: European, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Union, Zelenskiy, Moldovan, European Union, Kyiv, ACT AS ONE, EU, German, IRIS, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Moldova, Russia, Moscow, Soviet Moldova, Brussels, Soviet Moscow, Crimea
Russia Bars Moldovan Nationals, Summoning Ambassador
  + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com   time to read: +2 min
(Reuters) - Russia barred entry to a number of officials from Moldova on Monday and complained about moves by its pro-European government to block Russian media outlets ahead of local elections earlier this month. A Russian foreign ministry statement said Moldovan Ambassador Lilian Darie was summoned to be told of the decision. Moldovan foreign ministry spokesperson Igor Zaharov told Moldova-1 television that the government stood by protecting its media from interference regardless of Moscow's moves. Moldovan news outlet newsmaker.md said the Russian list barred 11 parliamentarians -- all members of Sandu's pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity. Ahead of the election, Moldova suspended licences and barred access to 30 media sites - some based in Russia, others in Moldova - on grounds of spreading disinformation.
Persons: Maia Sandu's, Lilian Darie, Igor Zaharov, Zaharov, newsmaker.md, Sandu, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, European Union, Moldovan, European Party of Action Locations: Russia, Moldova, Soviet, Russian, Moscow, Moldovan, Ukraine, Chisinau
Sandu warned before the election that pro-Russian forces in the country, particularly fugitive business magnate Ilan Shor, had funnelled money into Moldova to "buy" voters. Shor's allies were barred from running two days before the first round and he complained from exile in Israel that the ruling had cost him electoral success. An independent won in Comrat, a town in the south where one of Shor's allies had won a regional vote earlier this year. Ion Ceban, running under a party he founded, was re-elected mayor of the capital Chisinau in the first round, though the president's supporters suggest he may hold pro-Russian sympathies. Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Editing by Ron Popeski and Will DunhamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons: Maia Sandu, ZAK BENNETT, Maia Sandu's, Sandu, Ilan Shor, Shor's, Ion Ceban, Igor Grosu, Shor, Arina Korsicova, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Will Dunham Organizations: USAID, Democracy, Ford Foundation Center, Social Justice, 78th United Nations General, Rights, Sunday, European Union, Sandu's Party of Action, Solidarity, Socialist Party, PAS, Constitutional, The Organization, Security, Cooperation, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights CHISINAU, Moldova, Russian, Ukraine, Romania, Israel, Moldova's, Balti, Russia, Comrat, Calaras, Chisinau, Europe
Moldova's Largest Orthodox Church Keeps Link to Russia
  + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com   time to read: +2 min
By Alexander TanasCHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's largest Orthodox church reaffirmed its link to its Russian parent church on Thursday despite dissent from priests who have denounced the association with Moscow over the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. But parishioners are divided between two churches -- the Moldova Metropolis, subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which reports to the Romanian church. "The clergy and the people remain faithful to the Orthodox Church of Moldova and Metropolitan Vladimir," Bishop Ioan of theRussia-linked church said in a statement. "There will be no discussion of linking the Molodvan Orthodox Church to the Romanian Patriarchate." A group of priests in the majority Russian-linked church had asked Vladimir this week to switch allegiance to the Romanian church.
Persons: Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, Metropolitan Vladimir, Kirill, Bishop Ioan, Vladimir, Pavel Borsevschi, Maia Sandu, Sandu, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Sandra Maler Organizations: Orthodox Church, Metropolitan, Orthodox, of, European Union Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Moldova Metropolis, Metropolis, Bessarabia, Romanian, Russia, Russian, of Moldova, Romanian Patriarchate, Romania, Soviet Union
CHISINAU (Reuters) - Fugitive pro-Russian Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor, accused of "buying" voters to sway an election in the ex-Soviet state, has returned to his exile base in Israel, an Interpol official said on Sunday. Tentiu had earlier said that Shor left Israel on Nov. 6. Moldovan officials accused Shor of channelling the equivalent of 50 million euros ($53.5 million) into Moldova for "buying" voters. Tentiu said all Interpol member-states had been asked to report if he was on their territory. Russia dismisses Sandu's allegations and accuses her of waging an anti-Russian campaign and infusing an anti-Russian atmosphere in Moldova.
Persons: Ilan Shor, Viorel Tentiu, Shor, Tentiu, Maia Sandu's, Sandu, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Interpol, Moldovan, Constitutional Court, European Union, Moldova Locations: CHISINAU, Russian Moldovan, Soviet, Israel, Moldova, Ben Gurion, Ukraine, Moscow, Romania, Russia
CHISINAU, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Fugitive pro-Russian Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor, accused of "buying" voters to sway an election in the ex-Soviet state, has returned to his exile base in Israel, an Interpol official said on Sunday. Tentiu had earlier said that Shor left Israel on Nov. 6. Moldovan officials accused Shor of channelling the equivalent of 50 million euros ($53.5 million) into Moldova for "buying" voters. Tentiu said all Interpol member-states had been asked to report if he was on their territory. Russia dismisses Sandu's allegations and accuses her of waging an anti-Russian campaign and infusing an anti-Russian atmosphere in Moldova.
Persons: Ilan Shor, Viorel Tentiu, Shor, Tentiu, Maia Sandu's, Sandu, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Interpol, Moldovan, Constitutional Court, European Union, Moldova, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Russian Moldovan, Soviet, Israel, Moldova, Ben Gurion, Ukraine, Moscow, Romania, Russia
If accepted, EU officials expect formal accession talks with Kyiv to start next year. A top aide to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Budapest would not support Ukraine's EU integration unless Kyiv changes its laws on minorities, in particular as regards education. "Moldova is firmly on the path for EU membership and we will continue working relentlessly towards this goal," the country's president, Maia Sandu, said in welcoming the move. The Commission said the EU should also begin membership talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina once a long list of extensive conditions are met. In 2020, Britain was the first country to ever leave the EU, a major setback for European integration following World War Two.
Persons: Yves Herman, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ursula von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Viktor Orban, Maia Sandu, von der Leyen, enlargements, Andrew Gray, Yuliia, Olena, Alexander Tanas, Gabriela Baczynska, Nick Macfie, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, European Commission, EU, Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Brussels, Belgium, Moldova, Bosnia, Georgia, BRUSSELS, KYIV, Hungary, Kyiv, Hungarian, Budapest, EU, Moscow, Tbilisi, Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Netherlands, Britain
ZAK BENNETT/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCHISINAU, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The party of Moldova's pro-European president came first in hundreds of weekend local elections but was unable to win mayoral seats in the biggest cities, including the capital Chisinau, according to preliminary results on Monday. Sandu's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won more than 40% of the votes cast for mayors, city councillors and district and village councils nationwide. It won mayoral seats in the first round of voting in 240 of 898 villages, towns and cities. Those victories were mostly in rural areas and its candidates did not win control of the big cities. A pro-Russian political party linked to Shor was barred on security grounds from taking part in the elections.
Persons: Maia Sandu, ZAK BENNETT, Maia Sandu's, Ion Cebal, Lilian Carp, Ilan Shor, Sandu, Shor, Andrei Spinu, Tom Balmforth, Gareth Jones Organizations: USAID, Democracy, Ford Foundation Center, Social Justice, 78th United Nations General, Rights, of Action, Solidarity, PAS, funnelling, European Union, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights CHISINAU, Chisinau, Moscow, Balti, Cahul, Orhei, Russia, Russian, Moldova, Soviet, Romania, Ukraine
CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldovans are casting ballots in nationwide local elections on Sunday as authorities say that Russia has been conducting “hybrid warfare” to undermine the vote in the European Union candidate country. While local elections in Moldova, a country of about 2.5 million people situated between Romania and Ukraine, wouldn't usually garner much international attention, ongoing accusations of Russian meddling add a geopolitical dimension to the vote. On Friday, Moldova’s national intelligence agency published a report alleging that Russia was trying to “influence the electoral process” through the party. Shor was the head of the Russia-friendly Shor Party, which was declared unconstitutional in June by Moldova’s Constitutional Court. “Russia has always been trying to undermine democratic elections in Moldova, particularly in an effort to derail European integration aspirations,” Cantir said.
Persons: wouldn't, Dorin Recean, Recean, Ilan Shor, Shor, Maia Sandu, Anatol Mosanu, , Cristian Cantir, Cantir, oligarch, Vladimir Plahotniuc, Plahotniuc, Sandu, Moldova’s, ” Cantir, , they’ve, ” ___ Stephen McGrath Organizations: European Union, Moldova, Russia Chance Party, Intelligence, Security Service, SIS, Chance Party, Oakland University, Associated Press, EU, NATO, Party, Moldova’s Constitutional, Russia Locations: CHISINAU, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Moldovan, Sunday's, Israel, ” “ Moldova, United States, United Kingdom, Moscow, Sighisoara
[1/2] People walk past election campaign posters ahead of snap parliamentary election, scheduled on July 11, in Chisinau, Moldova July 7, 2021. Pro-European President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting to oust her in a coup. "Thanks to your vote, Moldova has a chance to become a member of the European family. The national security service has accused Shor of helping funnel 1 billion Moldovan lei ($55.60 million) into Moldova to stage anti-government protests during the war in Ukraine and to "buy" voters. Shor said he was sending the money to Moldova to help pensioners, finance social infrastructure projects and some politicians.
Persons: Vladislav Culiomza, Maia Sandu, Ilan Shor, Shor, Ion Ceban, Lilian Carp, Sandu, Yuliia Dysa, Tom Balmforth, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union, funneling, of Action, Solidarity, PAS, Russian, Moldovan, Constitutional, Chance Party, Thomson Locations: Chisinau, Moldova, Rights CHISINAU, Moscow, Soviet, Ukraine, Russia
Moldova Blocks Access to Russia's Main News Agencies
  + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com   time to read: +2 min
CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova blocked access to the websites of major Russian news media including the Interfax and TASS news agencies on Monday, accusing them of taking part in an information war against the country. Moldova, a small country with a Romanian-speaking majority located between Ukraine and NATO-member Romania, has accused Moscow of trying to overthrow its pro-Western government since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russian troops occupy a small, mainly Russian-speaking breakaway region, and Moldova's main opposition parties have long had close ties to Moscow. In a separate decree, Moldova also suspended the licenses of six domestic TV channels. Since June 2022, Moldova has already banned TV stations from broadcasting news and analysis programmes from Russia, allowing broadcasts in Russian of only entertainment shows and movies.
Persons: Maia Sandu, Dorin Recean, Aleksandr Tanas, Yuliia Dysa, Peter Graff Organizations: Interfax, TASS, NATO, Moldova's Intelligence, Security Service, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russian Foreign Ministry Locations: CHISINAU, Moldova, Romanian, Ukraine, Romania, Moscow, Russia, Republic Of Moldova
Moldova's President Maia Sandu addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. "Russia is going to increase its pressure on Moldova," Sandu told the FT. "They tried energy and they failed. Moldovans, she said, were entering the country with "bank cards that were issued in Dubai...they just distribute thousands of cards ...bank cards to people they wanted to bribe." Moldovan police on Friday said they had seized thousands of bank cards issued in Dubai due to be given to Shor's allies. "This is using bank cards instead of suitcases or black bags full of cash," Veronica Dragalin, head of Moldova's Anti-corruption prosecutors, told reporters.
Persons: Maia Sandu, Eduardo Munoz, Russia's Wagner, Sandu, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Ilan Shor, Shor, Veronica Dragalin, Ron Popeski, Alexander Tanas, Josie Kao Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, Financial Times, EU, Kremlin, Constitutional, PAS, Moldovan, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Spain, Moscow, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, Russia, Russian, Transdniestria, Moldova's, Dubai ., Dubai, Chisinau
Wagner's Yevgeny Prigozhin was behind a coup attempt in Moldova, the country's president said. Wagner intended to turn protests "violent" to justify its allies seizing power, Maia Sandu claimed. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Thousands of Russian troops are stationed in Transnistria, the breakaway region of Moldova bordering Ukraine, and they are bolstered by thousands more troops loyal to Transnistria's pro-Russia leadership.
Persons: Wagner's Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Maia Sandu, , Sandu, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Transnistria's Organizations: Service, Russian, NATO, European Union, Financial Times Locations: Moldova, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Romania, Moscow, Russia, Russian, Transnistria
Officials Urge Moldova to Seize Opportunity for EU Membership
  + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com   time to read: +3 min
By Alexander TanasCHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova launched a nationwide discussion on securing European Union membership, with senior officials and academics urging their compatriots to seize every opportunity to join the bloc or run the risk of being left behind or sinking into chaos. Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu launched the discussion on EU membership on Friday, saying that public participation "has a critical meaning in building a more prosperous future within the framework of the community of Europe". The Moscow-sympathetic opposition, thrown out of power by Sandu's landslide 2020 election victory, is sceptical about EU membership. Moldovans, their country wedged between Ukraine and EU member Romania, have proved enthusiastic. Sandu and other officials have suggested that Moldova should forge ahead with its EU membership bid and ignore separatist Transdniestria, much like Cyprus was allowed to join despite the Turkish occupation of its northern regions since the 1970s.
Persons: Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, Maia Sandu, Nicu Popescu, Vlad Culminschi, Transdniestria, Sandu, Ron Popeski, Leslie Adler Organizations: European Union, Moscow's, Institute of Strategic Initiatives Locations: Moldova, Soviet Moldova, Ukraine, Sandu, Russian, Transdniestria, Europe, Moscow, Romania, Cyprus, Soviet Union
United Nations CNN —When Jacinda Ardern brought her baby Neve to the United Nations for the 2018 General Assembly, then-New Zealand Prime Minister became an emblematic figure of modern women in politics. But women attending the annual top rendezvous of diplomacy have remained a minority, and the UN General Assembly this year is no different. “This perpetuates the cycle,” Susana Malcorra, a former foreign minister of Argentina and president of Global Women Leaders Voices, said. Of course, not all the women leaders attending UNGA are on the far side of the political spectrum. It was Čaputová’s last General Assembly as president of her country, as she announced a few months ago she won’t seek reelection in 2024 for personal reasons.
Persons: Jacinda Ardern, Neve, ” Susana Malcorra, Katalin Novak, Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, “ Meloni, ” Richard Gowan, Katalin Novák, Viktor Orbán, it’s, Novák, Orban, Novak, , Mike Segar, Dina Boluarte, Peru’s, Pedro Castillo, Boluarte, UNGA, Zuzana, Maia Sandu, Nataša Pirc Musar, , Sheikh Hasina, Mia Mottley, Bob Marley, Xiomara Castro, Ursula von der Leyen, Kristalina Georgieva, Ngozi, Natalie Portman Organizations: United Nations CNN, United Nations, Zealand, UN, Assembly, Global, Italian, Ukraine, Crisis, United Nations Security Council, Reuters, Security Council, Slovenia, Big Apple, European Commission, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization Locations: New York, Argentina, Italy, Ukraine, Slovakia, Moldova, Barbados, New York City, Honduras
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