Moldova's Election Challenged – Western Support Needed

According to recent information, the pro-Russia Socialist Party has contested the results of the presidential election held in Moldova. The party claims that rule violations, as well as the reduction in the number of polling stations for Moldovans living in Russia, led to the defeat of the Socialist candidate.

This case is particularly significant because Moldova has expressed a strong desire to join the ranks of Western countries. Russia, however, is far from pleased with this and has instead supported the independence of Transnistria, a region formally part of Moldova, aiming to turn it into a Russian vassal state.

For this reason, I expect two things from the European Union, and Western nations in general, regarding this matter. First, they must ensure that the Socialist Party’s claims have no basis— as I assume— and thereafter express strong support for the president-elect, including, if necessary, defending Moldova's independence by force. This support should ideally involve sending peacekeepers to the country, should Moldova’s leadership so desire.

This course of action is necessary to prevent Russia from finding room to pursue its ambitions of reintegrating former Soviet republics under Moscow’s control. It will also ensure that Moldovans do not end up in the same situation as Ukrainians have faced.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Elections in Georgia and Japan: The Future of Democracy on Different Paths
Resisting Putin’s Foolish Dreams
Vladimir Putin is Leading Russia into an Economic Ruin

Vladimir Putin is Leading Russia into an Economic Ruin

Finland's Minister of the Interior, Lulu Ranne (Finns Party), stated that there are clear indications of sabotage organized by Russia in Finland, even though there is no conclusive evidence. However, there are circumstantial signs of Russia's involvement, such as breaches in Finland's water supply systems.

That said, Finns have no need to worry, as the country's authorities are prepared for a wide range of threats. Additionally, the police have been strengthened to face and counter armed attacks, which might target the police rather than soldiers.

Such attacks could include terrorist strikes or sabotage organized by Russia. To combat these and other destructive actions, Finland's police have acquired armored vehicles since the mid-2010s.

It is unfortunate that Putin's Russia has proven to be an unfit neighbor, acting in international relations like a pig in its pen. As a result, it misses out on the benefits that international trade and cooperation could offer—and once did offer during the Soviet era.

At that time, as much as a quarter of Finland's foreign trade was conducted with the Soviet Union. And in the later stages, when socialist technology fell behind that of the West, oil and other raw materials were used as “currency” to purchase Finnish technological products. These resources were then refined in Finland and sold on the international market.

However, those good times are now over, and Vladimir Putin is leading his country deeper into economic ruin. As a result, he will eventually be ousted from his position as one of the world's leaders—sooner or later.

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Finally, a slightly different matter. I was very pleased today when I noticed that, despite his efforts, Putin failed to prevent Moldova from aligning itself more closely with a free Europe.

I am, of course, referring to the referendum on whether Moldova's constitution should include a commitment to seeking membership in the European Union. At the time of writing, it has become clear that this will happen, albeit with only a small majority of votes. This is yet another defeat for Putin on his and Russia's path to destruction.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Russia Pays the Price for Its Foolishness
Russian Tax Overhaul: Citizens to Bear the Burden of War Losses
History of Finland XV: Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine