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Moldova - East or West?

This former Soviet republic faces both east and west - but which way is best for Moldova's future?

Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, the former Soviet Republic of Moldova has recently been awarded EU candidate status.

In an echo of what happened in Ukraine, Moldova lost a chunk of its eastern territory to separatists in a short war 30 years ago. The separatists were backed by elements of the Russian army. Since then Transnistria has remained a post-Soviet 鈥渇rozen conflict.鈥

In recent months almost 500,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed into Moldova 鈥 the highest per capita influx to a neighbouring country. Up to 90,000 have remained in Moldova, one of Europe鈥檚 poorest countries. The republic鈥檚 president has warned that President Putin has his sights set on her country. Tessa Dunlop travels to Moldova to hear what Moldovans think about the war in Ukraine and their country鈥檚 future.

Produced by John Murphy

(Image: A Russian armoured vehicle at the border crossing with the breakaway enclave of Transnistria in the village of Firladeni, Republic of Moldova. Credit: 成人快手/John Murphy)

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29 minutes

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  • Thu 18 Aug 2022 11:00
  • Mon 22 Aug 2022 20:30

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