Moldova's Big Step Away From Russian Influence

Moldova is taking big steps to leave a group called the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which is led by Russia. This group was formed after the Soviet Union fell apart. The country's foreign minister, Mihai Popsoi, said they are working on the legal steps to make this happen. Moldova has not been active in CIS activities since 2023. The country's president, Maia Sandu, wants Moldova to join the European Union by the end of the decade. She has been very critical of Russia's actions, especially its invasion of Ukraine. Moldova has a complicated history. Over the past 150 years, it has been part of the Russian empire, Greater Romania, and the Soviet Union. Since gaining independence over 30 years ago, Moldova's governments have had mixed feelings about being close to Russia.President Sandu recently said that if there were a vote on reuniting with Romania, she would say yes. This is the first time a Moldovan leader has publicly supported this idea. Not everyone in Moldova agrees with leaving the CIS. Igor Dodon, the leader of the pro-Russian opposition party, called the decision unacceptable. However, political analyst Vitalii Andrievschii believes that leaving the CIS does not mean Moldova will stop having relationships with other former Soviet states. He thinks Moldova should focus on building relationships directly with these countries instead of staying in the CIS.