The country has already suffered a huge economic blow, but is now afraid that Putin will also try to annex parts of Moldova after Ukraine.
Moldova, located against the southwest of Ukraine, was once part of the Soviet Union, just like its neighbor. Now, however, residents are voting for democracy, tackling corruption and a western route that will hopefully lead to EU membership. The first major step towards that goal has already been achieved. At the end of June, Moldova, together with Ukraine, was granted candidate country status.
However, in the east of the country is a breakaway region, Transnistria, where Moldova fought against Russian troops thirty years ago. Those Russian troops are still based there and that, of course, increases the fear of a possible invasion.
Odessa
“Of course we are concerned. It is still a hypothetical situation, but if the military actions move further into the southwestern part of Ukraine, and towards Odesa, we will of course be very concerned. Especially considering the troops in the Transnistria region. We are doing everything we can to maintain peace and stability and to ensure that the fighting does not escalate,” said Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița.
Odesa, a Ukrainian port city close to the border with Moldova, was shelled by Russian missiles the day before yesterday. That attack came a day after a difficult agreement that should make it possible to transport Ukrainian grain again by ship to the world market, especially from Odesa.
