We must do everything in our power to protect Moldova, the country next to Ukraine that is deeply suffering from Vladimir Putin’s murderous behavior in the region. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe but is desperately trying to break the cycle of political dysfunction and corruption that has been historically thrust upon them by Russia.

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With the landslide election of Maia Sandu — a Harvard-educated, pro-West World Bank economist — they now have an excellent shot. But it won’t be easy. There are 1,500 Russian troops who have occupied the Moldovan territory of Transnistria since the breakup of the Soviet Union, and Russia controls Moldova’s energy supply…but Moldova has condemned Putin’s invasion of Ukraine anyway, despite the potential severe consequences.

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So far, the United States has been a solid partner to Moldova, giving them over $130 million to help with the significant costs associated with the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled there from Ukraine. Better yet, the European Union has finally given Moldova the paperwork it needs to apply for membership. Fingers-crossed!