https://sputnikglobe.com/20250418/moldovas-eu-ambitions-come-hand-in-hand-with-hybrid-threats–church-crackdown-1121887174.html
Moldova’s EU Ambitions Come Hand-in-Hand With Hybrid Threats & Church Crackdown
Moldova’s EU Ambitions Come Hand-in-Hand With Hybrid Threats & Church Crackdown
Sputnik International
Moldova project is driven by a radical anti-Christian faction of European bureaucracy — especially given their recent actions against the Moldovan Orthodox Church, Dmitry Evstafiev, professor at HSE University, told Sputnik.
2025-04-18T09:52+0000
2025-04-18T09:52+0000
2025-04-18T09:52+0000
analysis
moldova
ukraine
russia
european union (eu)
nato
maia sandu
https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/12/1121887844_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_d2b2f34f6c74caa2b29b33c388671016.jpg
The detention of Archbishop Markell at Chisinau International Airport fits seamlessly into Moldova’s designated role as a prime testing ground for EU-driven hybrid pressures, Dr. Marco Marsili, researcher at Cà Foscari University of Venice, told Sputnik. Preventing the Archbishop from flying to attend the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem just days before Orthodox Easter risks “undermining religious freedom and deepening the divide between church and state,” said the pundit. He underscored Moldova’s “strategic vulnerability” due to its proximity to Ukraine, its complex multiethnic composition, coveted EU candidate status, and upcoming September parliamentary elections.EU ‘Project’Unlike Ukraine, a joint US-EU project, the Moldova scenario is fully driven by an increasingly radical, anti-Christian faction of European bureaucracy — especially given their recent actions against the Moldovan Orthodox Church, Dmitry Evstafiev, political scientist and professor at HSE University, told Sputnik. The project is designed to ignite a backup hotspot of tension on Russia’s border if peace talks on Ukraine succeed, he noted. The political scientist added that Moldova is facing a rapid push toward annexation by Romania. According to the pundit, it is clear to everyone, particularly in Transnistria, that this will evolve into a serious conflict with substantial human costs. The full-scale military conflict in the making is aimed directly at Russia and its Black Sea presence, Evstafiev warned.EU MeddlingEU interference in Moldova’s political and electoral processes favors pro-EU, pro-NATO outcomes, Paolo Raffone, director of the CIPI Foundation in Brussels, told Sputnik.The pressure could escalate tensions and trigger clashes, similar to Ukraine’s Maidan, he said.EU and NATO leaders, backed by France, the UK, and Germany, continue a confrontational approach with Russia, influencing political developments in Moldova and Romania, stressed the pundit. According to him, they are struggling to maintain influence on the eastern flank, with tensions rising in countries like Georgia, Romania, and Moldova.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250418/moldovan-opposition-calls-disruption-of-bishop-markels-trip-for-holy-fire-terror-1121887313.html
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241111/moldovans-fear-sandu-drags-moldova-into-someone-elses-military-scenario-1120848581.html
moldova
ukraine
russia
2025
News
en_EN
https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/12/1121887844_171:0:2902:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_c8aa6fb404aafb3e8f4a45db9c79faf7.jpg
moldova’s crackdown on orthodox chucrh, moldova’s orthodox archbishop prevented from going on holy fire pilgrimage, what is happening in moldova, is moldover being weaponized to become another ukraine, how west is turning moldova into a powder keg on russia’s doorstep, sandu moldova, sandu eu integration, sandu europe, sandu oppression, sandu corruption, sandu crisis,
moldova’s crackdown on orthodox chucrh, moldova’s orthodox archbishop prevented from going on holy fire pilgrimage, what is happening in moldova, is moldover being weaponized to become another ukraine, how west is turning moldova into a powder keg on russia’s doorstep, sandu moldova, sandu eu integration, sandu europe, sandu oppression, sandu corruption, sandu crisis,
Relations between Russia and Moldova began to deteriorate after President Maia Sandu, who adheres to a pro-European policy, came to power in the republic at the end of 2020. There followed political crackdowns, media purges, and the recent arrest of Gagauzia leader Evgenia Gutsul.
He underscored Moldova’s “strategic vulnerability” due to its proximity to Ukraine, its complex multiethnic composition, coveted EU candidate status, and upcoming September parliamentary elections.
The project is designed to ignite a backup hotspot of tension on Russia’s border if peace talks on Ukraine succeed, he noted.
“Moldova is hurtling toward a nationalist, totalitarian regime, aiming to create a unitary state, ignoring the region’s ethnic, political, territorial realities, and historical context,” said the analyst.
The full-scale military conflict in the making is aimed directly at Russia and its Black Sea presence, Evstafiev warned.
EU interference in Moldova’s political and electoral processes favors pro-EU, pro-NATO outcomes, Paolo Raffone, director of the CIPI Foundation in Brussels, told Sputnik.
EU and NATO leaders, backed by France, the UK, and Germany, continue a confrontational approach with Russia, influencing political developments in Moldova and Romania, stressed the pundit. According to him, they are struggling to maintain influence on the eastern flank, with tensions rising in countries like Georgia, Romania, and Moldova.
«This dangerous path may not be appreciated by the US, leaving Europeans to face the consequences of their stubborn policies,» Raffone noted.
11 November 2024, 05:33 GMT
