Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine elevated Moldova's geopolitical importance. The Republic of Moldova is a small country on Ukraine's southwestern border and faced a possible Russian invasion in spring 2022 that could have opened a second front and brought Russia to the EU and NATO southeastern border. The European Union granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in June 2022, and several European countries, especially Germany, provide military support. Moldova marked its 34th independence anniversary on August 27 with German, French and Polish leaders attending. Most of Moldova's territory lies between the Dniester and Prut rivers. Russia annexed Bessarabia in 1812, and the modern republic declared independence on August 27, 1991. About three-quarters of 3.4 million residents are Moldovan.
Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Moldova has been popping up in the news with increasing frequency. The Republic of Moldova is a small country on Ukraine's southwestern border, and in the spring of 2022, it seemed possible that Russia might also invade and occupy it. This would have opened up a second front for Ukraine and brought Russia right up to the southeastern border of both the EU and NATO.
Since then, politicians in Germany and Europe have been paying more attention to Moldova than ever before. In a show of solidarity, the EU granted both Ukraine and Moldova candidate country status in June 2022. Several European countries above all Germany provide Moldova with military support. Moldova celebrates the 34th anniversary of its independence on August 27. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will be there to mark the occasion a historic gesture and show of support.
Most of the territory that makes up the Republic of Moldova the area between the Rivers Dniester and Prut used to belong to what was known as the Principality of Moldavia. Russia annexed part of the principality (Bessarabia) in 1812 and it remained part of the Russian Empire until 1917. In late 1917, the Moldavian Democratic Republic declared its independence from Russia. A year later it entered a union with the Kingdom of Romania.
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