President: Moldova will defy Russian pressure, stay pro-West

BUCHAREST, Romania — President Maia Sandu of Moldova pledged Tuesday to keep her country on a pro-Western course and as a firm supporter of Ukraine despite struggling under pressure of what she called Russia’s energy and political “blackmail.” “I want everyone to know that Moldova choses to be free and continue on its European path no matter what the circumstances,” Sandu told Romania’s Parliament while visiting the European Union member country. ’’We risk being without gas and electricity during the coming winter.” Sandu also accused pro-Russia political forces in Moldova of “cynically exploiting people’s hardships and the discontent. His supporters staged days-long protests in Moldova’s capital last month chanting slogans against the government’s pro-Western policies and carrying banners with slogans such as “No to Cold War, no to cold winter.” The State Department said Shor was working with “corrupt oligarchs and Moscow-based entities to create political unrest in Moldova” and to undermine the country’s efforts to join the European Union. Sandu similarly accused “corrupt” political actors in Moldova of pushing for Russia’s interests while the violence from the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine spills into their country.