Unlike in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is not seeking to annihilate the sovereignty and national identity of Moldova and Georgia by reducing cities to rubble and formally annexing territory. The two countries, once part of the Soviet Union, are nevertheless subject to malign Russian influence aimed at preventing them from choosing their own paths at home and abroad. Each deserves more vigorous, well-crafted support from the US and its European allies.
The Kremlin deployed its dark arts in Sunday’s Moldovan presidential election and referendum on enshrining the country’s aspirations to EU membership in the constitution. They have been no less evident in the campaign for Georgia’s parliamentary elections to be held on October 26. By overt and underhand methods, Moscow supports anti-western, anti-democratic forces for the purpose of corralling both countries into what it sees as its rightful, predominant sphere of influence in the post-Soviet area.
Moldova’s two votes fell short of delivering the unequivocal pro-western message for which President Maia Sandu was hoping. Having failed to win an outright victory in the presidential election, Sandu faces a run-off on November 3 against a Russian-backed opponent. On a relatively low turnout, the EU referendum produced the narrowest of majorities in favour of the constitutional change that Sandu favours.