Madalin Necsutu

A secret spy exchange between Russia, Moldova, Poland, Romania and the US shows Moldova has finally joined the ‘select club' of European intelligence services.

Accession talks opened in a celebratory atmosphere in Brussels this month, but the most demanding stage of the process – implementing high-quality reforms – has to begin.

Allegations about how relatives of President Maia Sandu got well-paid state jobs are raising questions about meritocracy and political accountability at a sensitive time – as Moldova opens EU accession talks.

Kremlin wirepullers may be encouraging the stalemate preventing elections being held in the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldovan politicians say.

Former private equity chef Vasile Tofan is pledging to kickstart growth through tough free-market reforms – but can Moldovan society and its nervous ruling party swallow such medicine?

A sharp rise in Russian drone incursions is prompting Moldova and Romania to work more closely with neighbouring Ukraine on producing their own drones to shoot them down.

Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu tells BIRN that Moldova has contracted most of the gas it needs, is preparing to consolidate Moldovagaz's 12 distribution companies, and is telling breakaway Transnistria to build its own reserves.

Victoria Belous tells BIRN that a combination of EU funds and bold reforms will turn her post-Soviet republic into a modern European state – even if rising prices test people's pain threshold.

Paun Rohovei tells BIRN that Ukraine is advancing EU-backed anti-corruption reforms and seeking closer security ties with Moldova and Romania.

Border police chief Ruslan Galusca says the threat to Moldova's borders from drones, drug trafficking and illegal migration has grown massively since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.