Transnistria Seeks Russian Protection: What You Need to Know

Pro-Russian rebels in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova, have asked Russia for protection against alleged threats from Moldova's government, as the region remains firmly within the Kremlin's orbit while Moldova seeks to join the European Union. The rare congress of Transnistria's politicians sparked fears of destabilizing Moldova's pro-Western government, but instead passed a resolution appealing to Russia for greater protection for its residents. The situation reflects Russia's ongoing influence in the region and its efforts to prevent Moldova's EU accession, while also highlighting the economic and geopolitical complexities at play.