By Kyle Herda
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
CHISINAU, Moldova – Three Eastern European nations have all made moves that seem to support Western Europe. Moldova, Georgia, and Bulgaria have all taken a step away from Russian alliance due to European Union influence coming from Western Europe. Moldova and Georgia agreed to sign an alliance with the European Union while Bulgaria has halted work on a pipeline that will bring gas from Russia to Europe.
Moldova and Georgia have both agreed to sign a June 27th association with the European Union. While both countries would still be far from joining the European Union, Moldova claims that the next step is to work towards gaining membership, with Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca stating they will “actively and effectively” work towards this goal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will make one more visit to Chisinau in an attempt to convince Moldova to back out of the signing and work towards a stronger alliance with Russia.
Also playing a factor in Moldova is the United States. On June 7, Vice President Joe Biden announced that the United States will be giving Moldova an additional $8 million in aid to help businesses and help Moldovan businesses work more closely with other European markets.
Similarly, the United States continues to increase its presence in Europe as it sent over two B-2 stealth bombers this week “to become familiar with air bases and operations” in Europe. While the Air Force did not relate this move to the conflict in Ukraine, this appears to be a show of force and a further strengthening of assurance to allies that the United States fully supports the European Union in the Eastern European conflicts.
Bulgaria is another nation being forced to make decisions on which nations to align with, and they seem to be leaning west. A proposed pipeline through Bulgaria that would allow Russia to sell gas to Europe had its work halted in an attempt to further squeeze Russia’s economy even further.
On the other hand, Belarus lays on Russia’s border and appears to be leaning towards supporting Russia in the east-west dispute. With over 60% of respondents in a particular survey claiming they would prefer a Russian alliance and only 18% of respondents in the same poll preferring a European Union alliance, and over 65% supporting Russia’s gaining of Crimea, it seems as though not all Eastern European nations are anti-Russia and ready to align with the European Union.
Only time will tell whether the east-west dispute will remain solely in Ukraine or spread into the surrounding nations that separate Russia from NATO countries.
For more information, please see:
CNN – U.S. Sends B-2 Stealth Bombers to Europe 11 June 2014
Business Insider – Europe has Finally Found a Way to Make Russia Hurt Economically in Ukraine Crisis 11 June 2014
The Voice of Russia – Belarusians Turn from Europe to Russia – Sociologists 11 June 2014
The Moscow Times – Defying Russia, Moldova and Georgia Look to EU 10 June 2014
The Voice of Russia – Moldova’s Association Agreement with EU may be Serious Test for Relations with Russia – Deputy FM 10 June 2014
The White House – FACT SHEET: U.S. Assistance to Moldova 7 June 2014
