Ukraine war briefing: Stray Russian drones โ€˜hit Moldova and Romaniaโ€™

Ukrainian neighbours summon Russian ambassadors citing crashes and explosions on their soil; Europe โ€˜would help Ukraine resist without US helpโ€™. What we know on day 1,087See all our Ukraine war coverageMoldova and Nato member Romania announced they had…

Moldovaโ€™s Russia-backed breakaway region strikes deal to end energy crisis

Separatist leaders said they will take a Russian loan to pay for supplies despite an EU aid offer.

Breakaway Moldovan region turn back to Russia for energy needs

A European Commission spokesperson today said that the EU’s offer “is still on the table” but that Transnistrian authorities “have gone for another solution.”

EU moves to replace Russian energy influence in Moldova

EU cash has ensured that gas and power flow in Moldova and its breakaway region of Transnistria, after Russia closed the taps โ€“ now Brussels wants a longer-term deal.

The West is trying to interfere in our elections, Russia moans

Kremlin whacks the U.S. with claim about vote-meddling.

EU aims to fast-track Ukraine membership bid in 2025

Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said the EU aims to open two negotiating “clusters” with Ukraine by mid-2025.

Ukraine war briefing: US has not stopped military aid to Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

Comments follow an announcement from newly inaugurated US secretary of state Marco Rubio that he would pause foreign aid grants for 90 days. What we know on day 1,068See all our Ukraine coverageThe US has not stopped military aid to Ukraine after newly…

Zelenskyy says Trump could end Ukraine war only if Kyiv included in talks

The Ukrainian leader signaled readiness to supply coal to Moldova, which is gripped by an energy crisis after flows of Russian gas through Ukraine stopped in the new year
The post Zelenskyy says Trump could end Ukraine war only if Kyiv included in talk…

Zelensky insists EU and US must include Kyiv in any negotiations with Russia

As he urged Europe and the US to take part in any discussions around ending the war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated at a press conference on Saturday that any talks held without Kyiv would not guarantee lasting peace. He…

Ukraine can bring Azeri gas to Europe, Zelenskyy says

Comments came after angry complaints from Slovakia and Hungary over Kyiv’s refusal to renew transit of Russian gas.

Czechia backs deeper EU ties for Ukraine and Moldova

The document, seen exclusively by Euractiv Czechia, argues the measures will help the two countries “resist the malign influence of Russia”.
The post Czechia backs deeper EU ties for Ukraine and Moldova appeared first on Euractiv.

In Moldova’s Transnistria region, residents survive without heating in middle of winter

Since January 1, Moldova has been grappling with an energy and political crisis whose outcome remains uncertain. In the middle of winter, Gazprom stopped supplying gas to Transnistria, a self-proclaimed independent Moldovan region run by pro-Moscow se…

Ukraine war briefing: โ€˜Conflict will not end tomorrow or day after,โ€™ says Macron as Trump takes office

French president tells Europe to โ€˜wake upโ€™ and spend more on defence; captured North Korean soldier says many casualties. What we know on day 1,063 The French president, Emmanuel Macron, warned that Russiaโ€™s war against Ukraine would not end โ€œtomorrow …

Moldova ready to pump gas to Russian-backed separatists amid humanitarian crisis

Any deal must not become a back door for Russian influence, says Moldovan official.

Putinโ€™s grip on Belarus sickens opponents of Lukashenko regime

Dissidents despair at the Russian presidentโ€™s influence ahead of this monthโ€™s rigged election.ย 

Leader of Moldovaโ€™s separatist region travels to Moscow for gas crisis talks

One option is Russia to start shipments through the Balkan corridor (Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania), without Moldova paying off the arrears, an analyst explained.
The post Leader of Moldova’s separatist region travels to Moscow for gas crisis talks a…

Ukraine can join NATO โ€” if allies are willing to be bold

Right now, Russia knows all it needs to do to prevent a country from joining is to invade and partially occupy it โ€” and that needs to change.

Russia cuts Transnistria’s gas supply to destabilize Moldova

A humanitarian catastrophe is looming for the 367,000 inhabitants of Transnistria, a region of Moldova living under pro-Russian separatist control. Counting on rising discontent in both Transnistria and Moldova ahead of the parliamentary elections, the…

Moldova torn between European aspirations and nostalgia for Soviet era

Back in November, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu was narrowly re-elected to a second term, despite alleged Russian interference. Sandu partly owes her victory to the vote of the largely pro-European diaspora, which represents almost a third of the Mol…

Zelenskyy, Sandu discuss Ukrainian coal to ease Transnistria energy crisis

“We are ready to assist Moldova, including with coal supplies,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address after discussing the crisis with Sandu by telephone.
The post Zelenskyy, Sandu discuss Ukrainian coal to ease Transnistria energy crisis appeare…

Ukraine war briefing: Trump sympathises with Russian stance against Ukraine joining Nato

President-elect says he understands Moscowโ€™s feelings about having โ€˜somebody right on their doorstepโ€™; Biden to announce weapons package. What we know on day 1,049See all our Ukraine coverageDonald Trump has said he sympathises with the Russian positio…

Moldova wants to solve Russia-triggered energy crisis with EU funds

Moldovan authorities blamed Russia for triggering an energy crisis in the country.
The post Moldova wants to solve Russia-triggered energy crisis with EU funds appeared first on Euractiv.

EU to pro-Russian Moldovan separatists: Just take the gas

The gas supply dispute between the Moldovan government and its breakaway region of Transnistria is reigniting political tensions.

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says nearly 15,000 Russian troops have died in Kursk

Russiaโ€™s defence ministry claims capture of Kurakhove, a Ukrainian logistics hub which Russian forces have been advancing toward for months. What we know on Day 1,048.See all our Ukraine coverageUkrainian president, Voldymyr Zelenskyy, said that almost…

Moldova, Transnistria grapple with the end of Russian gas deliveries

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean called the halt of deliveries โ€œKremlin gas blackmailโ€.
The post Moldova, Transnistria grapple with the end of Russian gas deliveries appeared first on Euractiv.

Ukraine war briefing: Five killed and homes damaged in series of Russian and Ukrainian attacks

Residential area in Chernigiv, north of Kyiv, among those hit as Zelenskyy says Russia launched 300 attack drones and nearly 20 missiles in first three days of 2025. What we know on day 1,045See all our Ukraine war coverageAt least five people were kil…

Pro-Russian Moldovan separatists refuse EU gas despite warnings of humanitarian crisis

Leaked correspondence shows Transnistria was offered alternatives to Russian gas amid a winter energy catastrophe.

Starved of gas, industry shuts down in pro-Russian region of Moldova

Transnistria has for several years paid nothing for supplies from Russian gas giant Gazprom under a tacit understanding with Moscow.
The post Starved of gas, industry shuts down in pro-Russian region of Moldova appeared first on Euractiv.

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy hopes Trumpโ€™s โ€˜unpredictabilityโ€™ can end war with Russia

Ukrainian leader has sought to build bridges with Trump amid fears the president-elect could slow vital military aid once in office. What we know on day 1,045See all our Ukraine coverageUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed hope that US…

Moldovan region Transnistria shuts down its industries after loss of Russian gas

Breakaway territory of 450,000 people suffers painful and immediate hit as Ukraine ends transit agreementThe shutdown of Russian gas supplies to Moldovaโ€™s breakaway Transnistria region has forced the closure of all industrial companies except food prod…

Ukraine war briefing: New Yearโ€™s Day drone strike kills two in Kyiv

Explosions boomed across the morning sky as Ukraineโ€™s air force warned of incoming drones. What we know on day 1,044See all our Ukraine war coverage Russia launched a New Yearโ€™s Day drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Wednesday, killing…

Russia cuts off gas to Moldovan separatists, risking humanitarian crisis

The Moscow-backed breakaway region is unable to heat homes after being cut off by Kremlin patrons.

Romanian appeals court upholds scrubbing fishy presidential election

The vote was annulled after a Kremlin-led influence campaign catapulted a pro-Russia candidate into the lead.

Moldova declares state of emergency as Russia-Ukraine gas deal ends

Russia’s gas transit to Europe via Ukraine stopped on Wednesday, Moscow and Kyiv said, ending a decades-long arrangement and marking the latest casualty of the war between the neighbours. Russian gas has been supplied to Europe via pipelines crossing …

Breakaway Moldovan region cuts heating and hot water as Russia stops gas flow

Supply to Transnistria halted as transit deal between Russia and Ukraine expiresThe breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria has cut heating and hot water supplies to households after Russia stopped supplying gas via Ukraine.โ€œThere is no heating or ho…

End of Russian gas via Ukraine sparks unease in eastern Europe

Although Europe has fought to wean itself off dependence on Russian gas since Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, several eastern European states still look to Moscow for much of their energy needs.
The post End of Russian gas via Ukraine …

The biggest battles headed for Brussels

What the EU will be squabbling about in VDLโ€™s second term.

Russian gas flows via Ukraine for last day as transit deal crumbles

Supplies of Russian gas via Ukraine are due to stop from the early hours of 1 January, as Kyiv has refused to negotiate a new transit deal.
The post Russian gas flows via Ukraine for last day as transit deal crumbles appeared first on Euractiv.

Ukraine war briefing: Russia must give clearer explanation of Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash, Zelenskyy says

Moscow has confirmed its air defences were repelling Ukrainian drones at the time of planeโ€™s flight but has not admitted it shot it down. What we know on day 1,040Ukraineโ€™s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called on Russia to provide a clearer expla…

Russia launches โ€˜inhumanโ€™ Christmas Day attacks, Ukraine says

US President Joe Biden denounced the “outrageous” attack and said he had asked the US Defense Department to push forward with a new surge of military aid to Kyiv.
The post Russia launches ‘inhuman’ Christmas Day attacks, Ukraine says appear…

Ukraine war briefing: Biden slams Russiaโ€™s โ€˜outrageousโ€™ Christmas Day assault on Ukraine

President reaffirms US weapons support to Kyiv after Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, which Zelenskyy condemned as โ€˜inhumanโ€™. What we know on day 1,037See all our Ukraine war coverageJoe Biden has asked the US defence department to continue it…

Moldovan president warns of โ€˜harsh winterโ€™ in inauguration speech

“We can be proud that, despite the challenges, we have managed to be on the right side of history,” Maia Sandu said while taking the oath before parliament and the Constitutional Court.
The post Moldovan president warns of ‘harsh winter’ in…

Report ties Romanian liberals to TikTok campaign that fueled pro-Russia candidate

A campaign from a governing center-right party may have been hijacked to benefit far-right candidate Cฤƒlin Georgescu, snoop.ro report shows.

Russia says it will protect its citizens in Moldovaโ€™s Transnistria

The statement was made as the parliament of the separatist enclave of Transnistria appealed to Moscow for help resolving disruptions in natural gas supply.
The post Russia says it will protect its citizens in Moldova’s Transnistria appeared first…

Slovakia leads effort for continued Ukraine gas transit as EU stays out of talks

Slovakia, receiving gas from Russia via pipelines in Ukraine, has been in talks to try to avoid Russian gas flows stopping when a transit contract between Kyiv and Moscow expires at the end of the year.
The post Slovakia leads effort for continued Ukra…

World War III is already underway. In Ukraine.

Three years in, Russiaโ€™s invasion has drawn in dozens of countries.

Central European energy firms push for extension on Russian gas transit dealย 

The companies’ plea to the EU comes as the region faces a gas supply cutoff from Moscow via Ukraine later this month.

Ukraine ready to work out new deal for gas transit to Europe

Prime Ministr Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine was willing to discuss transit of gas of any origin except Russian.
The post Ukraine ready to work out new deal for gas transit to Europe appeared first on Euractiv.

Bucharest mayor enters Romanian presidential race

“We are at a turning point,” says successful local politician after previous presidential runoff round was canceled by top court over foreign influence concerns.

US set to sanction Serbiaโ€™s main oil company over Russian ownership, Vuฤiฤ‡ says

Britain and the EU would likely follow Washington in introducing sanctions against NIS, Serbian president says in TV interview.

Moldovan spy chief: Russia will try to interfere in 2025 parliamentary election, too

The Kremlin will use tactics similar to its campaigns to influence the 2024 presidential vote and the referendum to join the EU, Alexandru Musteaศ›a warns MPs.

Moldova declares state of emergency as risk of Russian gas cutoff looms

Prime Minister Dorin Recean said Russian President Vladimir Putin “wants to leave the population of Transnistria without gas” in order to destabilise the situation in Moldova.”
The post Moldova declares state of emergency as risk of Russian gas cutoff …

TikTok influencers flee Romania amid tax probe into their election role

Romanian tax authorities are now investigating ultranationalist Cฤƒlin Georgescu and the TikTok activists who promoted his campaign.

How Russia-backed influencers meddled in Romaniaโ€™s vote

Bucharest scrapped presidential election after โ€˜illegalโ€™ social media campaign used tactics seen in Moldova poll

Romanian court cancels presidential election amid Russian influence fears

Constitutional court throws Romanian politics into turmoil, 2 days before runoff vote was due to take place.

Ukraine sanctions Georgian officials over violent crackdown on pro-EU protests

Sanctions target “the part of the Georgian government that is surrendering Georgia to Putin,โ€ Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said.

Sundayโ€™s presidential vote seen as referendum on Romaniaโ€™s European future

Fears are rife that under Cฤƒlin Georgescu the country would join the EU’s far-right bloc and undermine European unity in the face of Russia.

European countries give farmers more freedom to shoot wolves

The decision by Bern Convention members is a major win for the EU and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Moldovaโ€™s close election stands as warning to countryโ€™s pro-European majority

Moldova’s pro-European parties are grappling to shore up support in the aftermath of a presidential election marred by alleged Russian interference.

EU enlargement put to the test: Georgia, Moldova votes shake Brussels

The EU likes to underline that enlargement towards the east is a security priority. And indeed, since the war in Ukraine started, accession negotiations have begun with several countries, most of them in the Balkans. But in a shock referendum result, …

Moldova protests to Russian, Georgian envoys over election meddling

The Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador of Russia, but also the chargรฉ d’affaires of Georgia, for comments by country’s prime minister it said called into question the integrity of Moldova’s polls.

Even among artists in exile, the myth of Russian cultural supremacy lives on

Many liberal Russians shelter in states once part of the Soviet Union. Itโ€™s time that they learned to respect the cultures and languages their nation has so long suppressedOne day in the 1990s, I was playing with my cousin in a local park in Chiศ™inฤƒu, …

How Moldovans bravely fought off Russian election meddling โ€“ and stood up for democracy | Paula Erizanu

Journalists and police challenged disinformation, intimidation and cash-for-vote schemes, while huge numbers turned up to vote Having lived in Britain for 12 years, I returned to my native Moldova in 2022 because I was worried that Russiaโ€™s war in Ukra…

Moldovaโ€™s Sandu promises to bring change after narrow runoff win

The election also exposed underlying public grievances, and Maia Sandu, who ended up with 55.33% of the overall vote, only won because of strong backing from Moldovans voting from overseas.

Moldova’s pro-western president Maia Sandu wins second term โ€“ video

Maia Sandu, the pro-western incumbent president of Moldova, has won a second term in office, preliminary election results show, marking a significant boost for the countryโ€™s EU aspirations and a clear rebuke to Moscow. The runoff election was seen as a…

Moldovaโ€™s president wins western praise for election triumph

Maia Sanduโ€™s victory amid claims of Russian interference boosts EU hopes and deals setback to KremlinEuropeโ€™s most powerful leaders have congratulated Moldovaโ€™s pro-western president, Maia Sandu, after she won a second term, cementing the countryโ€™s EU …

Moldova’s pro-European president, Maia Sandu, re-elected in setback for Kremlin

The incumbent president’s clear victory, against a backdrop of growing Russian interference in its neighboring countries, reassured the European Union and Ukraine.

Moldovaโ€™s pro-Western Sandu claims election win after meddling allegations

With 98% of the ballots counted, pro-European incumbent President Maia Sandu leads pro-Russia’s candidate Aleksandr Stoianoglo with 54.35%, accoding to the Central Election Commission.

Moldova pro-EU leader Sandu wins re-election despite Russian meddling allegations

Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu has secured a second term, defeating a Russia-aligned rival amid allegations of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation. The win bolsters the pro-Western governmentโ€™s EU integration agenda.

Ukraine war briefing: UN chief โ€˜very concernedโ€™ about reports of North Korean troops in Russia

US intelligence has said North Korean forces have made their way to Russiaโ€™s Kursk border region; Pro-Eu president wins Moldovan vote. What we know on day 985United Nations Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres has said he is โ€œvery concernedโ€ about report…

Moldovaโ€™s pro-Western president wins 2nd term in runoff overshadowed by Russian meddling claims

President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent. A pro-Western government has been in power in Moldova since 2021, and a parliamentary election will be held in 2025. Moldova watchers warn t…

Moldovaโ€™s pro-EU president on course for re-election

Security services warned of efforts to disrupt and distort voting at overseas polling stations.

Moldovans vote in presidential runoff amid claims of Russian interference

Ukraine neighbour is at what could be a pivotal moment as pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandau faces Kremlin-leaning rivalMoldovans have cast their ballots in a presidential election that could prove pivotal for the countryโ€™s European future, amid accusations …

Moldova votes in tense presidential runoff amid fears of foreign interference

Moldovans went to the polls on Sunday in a tense presidential election runoff that could play a key role in the country’s European future amid fears of Russian interference. Pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandu scored 42.5 percent of the vote in the first roun…

Moldovans head to polls in major test for EU future

Authorities tell POLITICO they are working to fight Russian interference after first-round vote was marred by allegations of bribery and intimidation.

Moldova holds presidential runoff election amid claims of Russian meddling

Pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu, who has accelerated the southeast European nation’s push to leave Moscow’s orbit and join the EU, faces Alexandr Stoianoglo, an ex-prosecutor general backed by the pro-Russian Socialist Party.

Moldova votes for president in runoff election as Russia hovers

Pro-EU president Maia Sandu faces Alexandr Stoianoglo in polls marred by accusations of Kremlin vote-buyingMoldovans will head to the polls on Sunday for a second-round vote to choose between the incumbent pro-EU president, Maia Sandu, and a Russia-fri…

Moldova votes in presidential runoff amid claims of Russian interference

Moldovans hit the polls on Sunday in a pivotal presidential election runoff that could shape the countryโ€™s European ambitions amid concerns about Russian interference. Incumbent Maia Sandu is facing Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former public prosecutor back…

Moldova warns of Russian โ€˜disruptiveโ€™ moves against overseas voting in Sundayโ€™s runoff

Moscow’s “disruptive activities” could include fake bomb threats, according to documents obtained by Welt am Sonntag.

โ€˜Itโ€™s better not to try our luck againโ€™: how Kremlinโ€™s wars left deep scars in Georgia and Moldova

Voters have backed political forces that favour closer Moscow ties despite seeing their countryโ€™s future in EuropeLately, Levan cannot stop thinking about the time he saw Russian tanks roll into his hometown of Gori, an hourโ€™s drive from Georgiaโ€™s capi…