It's likely that very few Americans have heard of Moldova, much less could find it on a world map. But Moldova, a former Soviet republic, is a neighbor of Ukraine and NATO member Romania, and is struggling to join the European Union and integrate with the West. One could imagine how that goes against the Kremlin's wishes, and they've been trying to undermine Moldova's pro-Western government for years. Now, it appears that the Moldovan people have cast their ballots in favor of the pro-Western president Maia Sandu, despite clear meddling from Moscow. From the Associated Press:
"Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation in the European Union candidate country.
With nearly 99% of votes counted in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday, Sandu had 55% of the vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission, or CEC, compared to 45% for Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who was backed by the pro-Russia Party of Socialists.
The result will be a major relief for the pro-Western government, which strongly backed Sandu’s candidacy, and her push for closer Western ties on Moldova’s path toward the EU." (our emphasis)
Moscow was using bribes, intimidation and disinformation to try to swing he vote to their puppet candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo, but failed to persuade Moldovans that their future lay with the Kremlin and its murderous leader Vladimir Putin. Bravo! The European Union needs to integrate Moldova at the earliest opportunity to cement the peoples' will.
