Moscow Wields Its Influence -- The Telegraph
In early April, thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets in Moldova and Georgia to demand presidential resignation; Ukrainian presidential elections will be on October 25. The Kremlin is facing a real test of its capacity to influence politics in its back yard.
Contrary to some reports, the Kremlin’s strategy in Moldova is working to achieve its strategic objective of securing Moldova’s non-Nato status and to become the ultimate arbiter and enforcer of the final settlement to the decade-long Transdnestr conflict.
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My Comment: Russia is well positioned to influence its neighbors. But it is still good to have that army in the background when you need to make a point.