Category Archives: Moldova

Russian commander suggests plan is for permanent occupation of south Ukraine

Posted on by

Rustam Minnekayev speaks of aim for land corridor to Crimea, despite Putin’s earlier claims

A senior Russian military commander has said the goal of Russia’s new offensive is to seize control of southern Ukraine and form a land bridge to Crimea, indicating that Russia plans a permanent occupation of Ukrainian territory taken in the war.

Rustam Minnekayev, acting commander of the central military district, also told members of a defence industry forum on Friday that control over southern Ukraine would give Russia access to Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova, indicating that Russia may attack the port city of Odesa or launch an economic blockade of the area.

Continue reading...

Georgia speeds up EU application in policy U-turn

Posted on by

Move comes amid public alarm over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as Moldova also applies to join bloc

In a surprise U-turn, the government of Georgia has applied for EU membership just days after declaring it would not accelerate its application, as fears grow among the Georgian public that the Russian invasion might not stop with Ukraine.

A day after Ukraine made its formal application for EU membership on Wednesday, Georgia responded to the pressure of overwhelming public protests and made its own request, along with Moldova.

Continue reading...

Ukraine: UN says more than 1.3 million have fled since Russian invasion began

Posted on by

United Nations calling exodus Europe’s fastest-moving refugee crisis since end of second world war

More than 1.3 million Ukrainians have crossed borders since the Russian invasion started on the 24 February in what the United Nations is now calling Europe’s fastest-moving refugee crisis since the end of the second world war.

Figures released today by the United Nation’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR) show that to date 1.37 million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring European countries after the military offensive ordered by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

Continue reading...

As 1.3 million people flee, Ukraine’s refugee crisis is only just beginning

Posted on by

Analysis: despite the EU’s solidarity in helping those escaping war, aid agencies are overwhelmed with many people stuck at borders

Just over a week after Russian rockets first began to slam into Ukraine, more than 1.3 million people have fled over the borders of neighbouring European countries into a frightening and uncertain future. What we are witnessing, the United Nations has warned, is the largest refugee crisis in a century.

All week, the world has watched families fighting to board trains in chaotic crowds, fathers kissing their children goodbye through car windows, and seen the shock and exhaustion on the faces of those who have made it to safety.

Continue reading...

‘I’m pregnant, I left my husband behind’: the people forced to flee Putin’s war in Ukraine – video

Posted on by

Otaci is a Moldovan border town, on the opposite side of the Dniester River lies the Ukrainian city of Mohyliv-Podilskyi. As refugees spill over the bridge that links the two, local people are rallying together to provide them with warm food, shelter, internet and free onward travel in cars and taxis. 

Since Putin's invasion of Ukraine started on 24 February, more than 1 million people have fled across the closest borders. The conflict could result in the 'largest refugee crisis this century', the UN refugee agency has warned, with up to 4 million people fleeing the country in the coming weeks and months. So far, more than 98,000 refugees have entered Moldova, Europe's poorest country

Continue reading...

Is Moldova ready to embrace an unmarried, childfree president? | Europe’s baby bust – video

Posted on by

Moldova's recent presidential election ended up being a referendum on one of Europe's most pressing questions. With birth rates in steep decline and much of its remaining population leaving the country, the incumbent president, Igor Dodon, was desperately trying to reinstate faith in the traditional family structure and religious values. His opponent, Maia Sandu, was a 48-year-old unmarried woman with no children. But was the country ready for her? In this episode of Europe's baby bust, Leah Green and Ekaterina Ochagavia joined the campaign trail to find out

Continue reading...

Here in Europe’s poorest country we have no vaccine to argue over

Posted on by

Nobody in Moldova has received a Covid jab yet – and our neglected healthcare system is unable to cope

“I am happy to work on the frontline and to see the Canadian medical system function so well,” Alecu Mătrăgună wrote in a Facebook post, “but I am sad that I was vaccinated before my mother, who works in the medical system in Moldova.” Mătrăgună is a Moldovan sonographer living in Montreal. His mother is 61 and a paediatrician with more than 30 years’ service under her belt. Yet, he told me, she has no idea when the Covid-19 vaccine might become available for her and for more than 53,300 other healthcare staff in Europe’s poorest country.

I had a similar reaction to Mătrăgună’s about my family in Moldova when I saw a sign at my local London pharmacy as long ago as early December, announcing that the vaccine was on its way. At the time, my grandmother had just recovered and my father was still battling with the effects of the virus.

Continue reading...

UN global climate poll: ‘The people’s voice is clear – they want action’

Posted on by

Biggest ever survey finds two-thirds of people think climate change is a global emergency

The biggest ever opinion poll on climate change has found two-thirds of people think it is a “global emergency”.

The survey shows people across the world support climate action and gives politicians a clear mandate to take the major action needed, according to the UN organisation that carried out the poll.

Continue reading...