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☆ Moldova election: Putin’s latest meddling effort failed. It’s unlikely to stop him trying again
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

According to Moldova’s Central election commission, with 100% of votes counted, Sandu had 55% of the total. Its leader, a regular visitor to Russia, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March. In his congratulatory note to Sandu Monday, US President Joe Biden declared “Russia failed” in its attempt to undermine Moldova’s democracy. Meanwhile, Ukraine is breathing a sigh of relief at the results of Moldova’s election. If Russia’s gains turn from tactical to strategic, Moldova faces a threat much bigger than election interference.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglu, Konstantin Kosachev, Andrey Klishas, “, ”, Vadim Ghirda, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Vladislav Culiomza, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: CNN, EU, Moldova’s, Moldovan, Kremlin, European Union, AP, “ Russia, Reuters Locations: Moscow, Russia, Moldova, Russian, Chisinau, upending, Ciopleni, AP Russia, Transnistria, Ukraine, Donbas, Moldova’s, Gagauzia, Sandu, EU, Georgia, trepidation, Romanian

☆ How Russian ‘dirty money’ risks rigging this European country’s presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-02 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

If other Kremlin-friendly parties swing their support behind him, the second round will be extremely close. Both the Kremlin and Shor have denied interference, but Moldovan officials have warned the second vote could also be targeted by similar schemes. He has called for a “reset” of relations with Moscow and said he would be willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, while maintaining he is committed to joining the EU. As a result, his platform is a mix of contradictory policies, said Samurokov: “You either support European integration, or you want to promote cooperation with Moscow. Evgenia Novozhenina/ReutersStill, Moldovan officials are braced for a second round of voting marred by pro-Russian meddling.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, Sandu –, Moscow –, Stoianoglo, Vladislav Culiomza, Reuters Sandu, Valeriu Pasha, Ilan Shor, Shor, ” Maksim Samorukov, Sandu’s, ”, Vladimir Putin, Evgenia Novozhenina, ” Pasha, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ Organizations: CNN, European Union, EU, Russian Party of Socialists, World Bank, Moscow, Reuters, Reuters Analysts, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Communist Locations: Soviet, Europe, Moldova, European, Ukraine, Harvard, Chisinau, Russian, Russia, Moscow, Transnistria, Georgian, ”, Georgia

☆ Moldova Is a Cautionary Tale for Ukraine - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Paula Erizanu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But it would clearly involve freezing the conflict, resigning Ukraine’s occupied territory to Russia in exchange for an end to the fighting. A small western neighbor of Ukraine, Moldova experienced Russia’s first post-Soviet war of aggression, which ended with a cease-fire agreement in 1992. The case shows that Russia simply cannot be trusted. Anyone calling for Ukraine to settle for one should heed Moldova’s cautionary tale. Russia stopped providing Moldova with gas, leaving people in cities to freeze in their apartments and cook their food outside on bonfires.

Persons: Pope Francis, Ukraine’s, Russia’s Organizations: Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Moldovan, Russian, Transnistria, Moscow

☆ Ukraine isn't the only country Russia is trying to topple
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Even as Russian bombs pound Ukraine, Moscow's mercenaries and spies are busy trying to set much of the rest of the world afire. To Russia, the conventional warfare waged in Ukraine, and unconventional "gray zone" warfare waged around the world, are two sides of the same coin. Human intelligence operations are used to attempt elite capture through the offer of assistance to politicians who support Russian interests. "As the war in Ukraine protracts, Russia has an interest in creating crises further afield," said RUSI. "As a lot of Russia's unconventional operations are self-defeating, countering Russian unconventional warfare must be premised on careful, selective, and intelligence- driven targeting," the study emphasized.

Persons: —, RUSI, Vladimir Putin, Jack Watling, Oleksandr Danylyuk, Nick Reynolds, Britain —, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, Kadyrov, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Britain's Royal United Services Institute, Business, Kremlin, Soviet Union, NATO, Directorate, Staff of, Armed Forces, Getty, Russian, Central African, Wagner, GRU Expeditionary Corps, Convoy, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Soviet, Montenegro, Moscow, Moldova, Russian, Britain, Ukraine protracts, Balkans, Russia's, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Central African Republic, Chechnya, Forbes

☆ Russia can't reach a pro-Russian region in Moldova easily — but there are ways it can cause trouble
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

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

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

In a series of reports on countries wanting to join the bloc's ranks, the EU’s executive branch recommended that war-ravaged Ukraine should be permitted to open membership talks, once it’s addressed some shortfalls. “Moldova is the subject of constant destabilization efforts against its democracy,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. For 20 years, the prospect of EU membership has been a powerful driver of pro-democratic reform in aspiring countries. The commission said that it should only start membership talks after more progress is made. The country started its EU membership talks in 2005, but they have ground to a halt in recent years.

Persons: it’s, “, Ursula von der Leyen, ”, von der Leyen, Turkey's, backsliding Organizations: —, European Union, European Commission, Georgia, EU, Kosovo –, Kyiv “ Locations: BRUSSELS, — Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine, Brussels, Hungary, Slovakia, Balkans, Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnian, Turkey, Europe

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

☆ Wagner's Yevgeny Prigozhin tried to overthrow Ukraine's neighbor Moldova before his death, the nation's president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

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

☆ Moldova Could Buy Russian Gas if Conditions Are Right -Officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Alexander TanasCHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova has not used Russian gas since late last year, but it is keeping open the option of buying supply from Gazprom if conditions are right, the head of the Russian gas giant's local subsidiary said on Tuesday. Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, has denounced Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine and has been beset by years of disputes that pre-date the war over payment for Russian gas. The rest of Moldova has been using gas from European suppliers bought through the state-owned gas and power company Energocom. Vadim Ceban, head of Gazprom subsidiary Moldovagaz, said purchases of Russian gas for the bulk of Moldova's territory are possible if the right conditions are met. But on Tuesday, he acknowledged that purchases of Russian gas were possible, subject to strict conditions.

Persons: Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, Vadim Ceban, Ceban, Victor Parlicov, Parlicov, Transdniestria, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Tom Hogue Organizations: Gazprom, Moldovagaz, Energocom, Reuters, Moldovan Energy, Moldova, European Bank for Reconstruction Locations: Moldova, Gazprom, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Transdniestria, Moldovagaz, Energocom, Bucharest, Russia, Moscow

☆ 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

☆ ‘Brief Encounters’ and ‘The Long Farewell’ Review: Soulful Soviet Dramas
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Natalia Winkelman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Through the 1970s and much of the 1980s, Kira Muratova’s stirring films “Brief Encounters” and “The Long Farewell” went unseen, banned by the Soviet Union. “The Long Farewell” provoked such outrage from censors that Muratova, then a new voice in cinema, was stripped of her film degree and prohibited from filmmaking for years. The female characters pine, ache and, amplified by the dramas surrounding them, seem to scream: Life is hard! “Brief Encounters,” from 1967 and my favorite of the pair, is an audacious portrait of two women on the cultural fringes pining after the same man. The film opens on Valentina cast in chiaroscuro, groaning over unfinished work and dirty dishes.

Persons: Kira Muratova’s, ”, “, Muratova, Valentina —, Valentina, Nadia, Nina Ruslanova Locations: Soviet Union, StudioCanal, Moldova, Odesa, Ukraine, who’s

☆ New leader of Moldovan region thanks exiled patron, backs ties with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, July 19 (Reuters) - The new leader of Moldova's region of Gagauzia expressed gratitude at her inauguration on Wednesday to a wealthy magnate jailed in absentia for fraud and stood by her calls for closer ties with Russia. The region's 140,000 residents have had an uneasy relationship with Moldovan authorities in three decades of independence from Soviet rule. Gutul pledged to uphold good ties with Turkey and Russia, as well as with Moldova's neighbours, Ukraine and Romania. In the election campaign, contested by a slate of pro-Russian candidates, she pledged to build closer ties with Russia and open a diplomatic mission in Moscow. Reporting by Alexander Tanas in Chisinau; Editing by Ron Popeski and Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gagauzia, Maia Sandu, Yevgeniya, Ilan Shor, Shor, Ilan, Gutul, Shor's, Sandu's, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: European Union, Moldovan, Moldova's Constitutional, Sandu's PAS, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Israel, Gagauzia, Chisinau, Turkey, Romania, Moscow, Transdniestria, Russian

☆ Tajik man shoots two dead at Moldova's international airport
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, June 30 (Reuters) - A 43-year-old Tajik man grabbed a gun, shot dead two security officers and wounded a civilian at Moldova's main international airport on Friday after being denied entry to the country, authorities said. The suspected assailant was himself wounded and apprehended, police said, in an incident that briefly grounded flights at Chisinau International Airport. Moldova's acting chief prosecutor, Ion Munteanu, said the shooting was being examined as a terrorist act. The two killed were a border guard and an airport security officer, President Maia Sandu said, offering condolences. It was only after we went far away from the airport that we were told there is someone who is shooting."

Persons: Ion Munteanu, Olena Shevelyova, Dorin Recean, Maia Sandu, Munteanu, Dragos Galbur, Alexander Tanas, Olena Harmash, Tom Balmforth, Cynthia Osterman, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Chisinau International Airport, European Union, Thomson Locations: CHISINAU, Chisinau, Tajikistan, Soviet, Asia, Istanbul, Moldova, Moldovan, Soviet Union, Ukrainian, Milan

☆ Russia's 'least capable' troops aren't in Ukraine, but they're still causing problems next door, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Moldova, next door to Ukraine, has been under pressure from Russia for decades. Amid the war in Ukraine, Kyiv and Western officials say Moscow is stepping up its interference. As a result of a 1992 war between Moldovan forces and Transnistrian separatists, Russian troops entered the breakaway region to support the separatists. Following that war, Transnistria gained a form of autonomy. SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty ImagesMoldova declared a state of emergency after Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, and it remains in effect.

Persons: —, that's, John Sullivan, SERGUEI VORONIN, Chișinău, Maia Sandu, Diego Herrera Carcedo, SERGEI GAPON, Moldova's, John Kirby, Kirby, Pierre Crom, Thomas de Waal, Dara Massicot, Massicot, Jamar Marcel Pugh, Sandu, Ursula von der Leyen, Constantine Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, Georgetown University, Getty, Moldovan, NATO, EU, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images Moldova, White House National Security Council, Carnegie, RAND Corporation, US Army National Guard, European Commission, Fletcher School of Law, LinkedIn Locations: Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Transnistria, Kyiv, Western, Moscow, Soviet Union, Romania, Europe, Baltic, Poland, Bender, Transnistrian, Chisinau, May, Lithuania, Sweden, AFP, Russian, Carnegie Europe, NATO, Bulgaria

☆ U.S. sanctions target Russian influence campaign in Moldova
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - The United States imposed sanctions on Monday on members of a Russian intelligence-linked group for their role in Moscow's efforts to destabilize democracy and influence elections in Moldova, the Treasury Department said. The new sanctions target seven Russian individuals, some of whom maintain ties to Russian intelligence services, the department said in a statement. They include the group's leader, Konstantin Prokopyevich Sapozhnikov, who organized the plot to destabilize the government of Moldova in early 2023, it said. The group's members provoke, train and oversee groups in democratic countries and conduct anti-government protests, rallies, marches and demonstrations, it added. Brian Nelson, the department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Monday's sanctions expose Russia's ongoing efforts to destabilize democratic nations.

Persons: Konstantin Prokopyevich Sapozhnikov, Yury Yuryevich Makolov, Gleb Maksimovich Khloponin, Aleksey Vyacheslavovich Losev, Svetlana Andreyevna Boyko, Vasily Viktorovich Gromovikov, Nicu Popescu, Brian Nelson, Doina Chiacu, Tim Ahmann, Will Dunham, Mark Porter Organizations: Treasury Department, European Union, Facebook, Thomson Locations: United States, Russian, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Canada

☆ 'Everyone can see the reality' in Ukraine except for Putin, UK defense minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shake hands after a meeting, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 10, 2022. British Defense Minister Ben Wallace on Friday said Vladimir Putin is "at risk of losing everything" if Russia does not withdraw its forces from Ukraine. In a busy week for diplomacy, European leaders met in Moldova in recent days for the European Political Community summit, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Defense ministers from around the world gathered in Singapore on Friday for the Shangri-La Dialogue Defense Summit. Moscow was meanwhile hit by drone strikes earlier this week, with President Vladimir Putin claiming the attacks targeted Russian civilians, while the country's foreign ministry vowed to respond with "the harshest possible measures."

Persons: Ben Wallace, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Wallace, it's, CNBC's, CNBC's Sri Jegarajah Organizations: British, European, Ukrainian, NATO, Dialogue Defense, CNBC, Storm, U.K, CNBC's Sri, UN Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Moldova, Oslo, Singapore, Ukrainian, Russian, Moscow

NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) surveillance aircraft will watch the skies over the summit venue through Friday, the alliance said in a statement. Missile debris from the war in Ukraine has been found in Moldova several times since Russia invaded 15 months ago. "NATO AWACS can detect aircraft, missiles and drones hundreds of kilometres away, making them an important early warning capability," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. The summit will also touch on a range of strategic issues, ranging from energy to cybersecurity and migration. Reporting by John Irish, Andrew Gray and Alexander Tanas; writing by John Irish; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Nicu Popescu, Ana Revenco, Oana Lungescu, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Maia Sandu, Ursula von der, Albin Kurti, Aleksandar Vucic, ” Borrell, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, John Irish, Andrew Gray, Alexander Tanas, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: High Representative, European Union for Foreign Affairs, Moldova's, Russia, NATO, Kyiv, Control Systems, European, Kosovo, EU, Thomson Locations: Chisinau, Moldova, Ukraine, Kosovo, Moldovan, Romania, Russia, Ursula von der Leyen, KOSOVO, Slovakia, defusing, Serbian, Europe, Azerbaijan, Armenia

☆ Ukraine resumes exporting electricity to Europe after Russia fails to destroy its power grid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Exports stopped in October after Russia attacked Ukraine's power grids, a move some said amounted to war crimes. Russia ramped up infrastructure attacks in September, when waves of missiles and exploding drones destroyed about half of Ukraine's energy system. Ukraine needs funding to repair damaged generation and transmission lines, and revenue from electricity exports would be one way to do that. The first country to receive Ukraine's energy exports will be Moldova, he said. Engineers sped up the process to link Ukraine to the continental grid, allowing it to decouple its power system from Russia.

☆ U.S. to Provide $25 Million to Costa Rica for Cybersecurity
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( James Rundle | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. will provide cybersecurity support to the government of Costa Rica, officials said, almost a year after a ransomware group laid siege to its critical infrastructure and triggered a state of emergency. The funds will also help Costa Rica with strategic and technical cyber planning, training, hardware and software licenses, the official said. The official said the U.S. government believes Costa Rica’s support for Ukraine may have been a factor in Conti’s attack, as the group previously expressed its support for the Russian government’s invasion. PREVIEWThe grant to Costa Rica follows similar efforts from the U.S. to assist Albania in recovering from a cyberattack, which the federal government has since linked to Iran. Costa Rica has applied to join this initiative, which comprises 36 countries and the European Union, the official said.

☆ No risk of war in Moldova while Ukraine holds out - President Sandu
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, March 17 (Reuters) - President Maia Sandu said on Friday she saw no danger of war in Moldova while Russia is fighting in Ukraine, despite what she said were Russian efforts to destabilise her country. "There is no danger of war coming to Moldova while Ukraine is fighting," Sandu told parliament. "I want to reassure our citizens that Moldova is not now in any danger of war. Sandu repeated accusations, denied by Moscow, that Russia wants to destabilise Moldova. "As long as I am president, Moldova will hold out," said Sandu, who became president in 2020.

☆ Moldova no longer needs Russian gas, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Gazprom PAO FollowCHISINAU, March 15 (Reuters) - Ex-Soviet Moldova is no longer receiving Russian gas or enduring the "blackmail" imposed by gas giant Gazprom over its difficulties in paying for supplies, the country's energy minister said. But when the (rest of Moldova) was getting gas, the Russian company resorted to supply cuts, to blackmail." A contingent of 1,500 Russian "peacekeepers" remain in the separatist region 30 years after a brief war pitting it against newly independent Moldova. Transdniestria channels funds from gas bills paid by domestic and industrial users to a "gas account" used to cover some of its substantial budget deficits. The sum of Transdniestria's unpaid bills for Russian gas is estimated by Moldovan officials at several billion dollars.

[1/5] An employee works at the Chisinau-1 gas distribution plant of Moldovatransgaz energy company in Chisinau, Moldova March 4, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav CuliomzaCHISINAU, March 10 (Reuters) - A coup attempt, bomb hoaxes, internet hacks, fake conscription call-ups, mass protests: Moldova says it's had them all in the past year. Moldova hosts the breakaway statelet of Transnistria - a sliver of land running along its eastern border with Ukraine that's controlled by pro-Russian separatists and garrisoned by Russian troops. FAKE CONSCRIPTION NOTICESMounting tensions between Moscow and the West over Ukraine have raised the temperature in Moldova. RUSSIAN TROOPS IN TRANSNISTRIAAn estimated 1,500 Russian troops are stationed in Transnistria, most of them recruited locally from Transnistrians with Russian passports.

☆ Fact Check-Video does not show Romanian army entering Moldova
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A video of Romanian tanks rolling along a street has been shared online accompanied by a false claim that it shows Romania’s army entering Moldova. “New footage of Romanian army entering Moldova,” said one Twitter user sharing the footage on Feb. 25 (here ). Gen. Constantin Spinu, the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MoND) spokesperson, said that claims of Romania moving military equipment to the Moldovan border were false. Other videos posted on social media that show the rehearsals in Alba Iulia also show a procession of five tanks, as seen in the shorter clip (here ) (here ). The video was filmed in Alba Iulia, hundreds of kilometres away from Moldova, and the defence ministry says it was likely taken during rehearsals for Romania’s National Day.

☆ Exclusive: U.S. plans $550 million aid for Ukraine, Moldova energy security
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Arshad Mohammed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Firefighters work to put out a fire at energy infrastructure facilities damaged by Russian missile strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv region, Ukraine November 15, 2022. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERSSAINT PAUL, Minn., Feb 24 (Reuters) - The United States plans to announce $250 million in aid on Friday to shore up Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the face of Russian attacks and $300 million for Moldova, partly to help Chisinau wean itself from energy dependence on Russia. The $300 million for Moldova includes $80 million in budget support to offset high electricity prices, $135 million for electric power generation projects and $85 million to improve its ability to obtain energy supplies from alternative sources, according to a second draft document. Moldova, a former Soviet republic of 2.5 million people neighboring Ukraine to the west, is one of the poorest nations in Europe and has traditionally been heavily reliant on Russian gas. The money is from a pool of $45 billion for Ukraine included in a broader spending bill passed by Congress last year.

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