Moldova’s government collapsed on Friday after Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita resigned, leaving the ex‑Soviet country to grapple with a series of crises triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Gavrilita, 45, did not explain her decision, citing only a lack of “support and trust at home.” Her resignation came a day after Moldova’s intelligence service warned that Russia was trying to destabilise the nation, and shortly after a Russian missile violated Moldovan airspace, prompting Chişinău to summon the Russian ambassador.
Sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova is militarily neutral but is led by pro‑European President Maia Sandu. Russia maintains troops in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Within hours of Gavrilita’s departure, Sandu nominated Dorin Recean, a 48‑year‑old former interior minister and her pro‑European security adviser, to become the new prime minister. Recean, also a member of the pro‑European PAS party, is expected to secure parliamentary approval, as PAS holds 63 of the 101 seats.
In a televised statement, Sandu announced the appointment, emphasizing that the new government would be formed quickly and would steer the country toward reconstruction. “We need unity to get through this tough time,” she said, adding that Moldova deserves peace and security and will take all necessary steps to protect its neutral status while strengthening defenses.
The war in neighboring Ukraine has heightened security concerns for Moldova. Debris from Russian missiles has landed on Moldovan territory, and recent cruise missiles flew over both Moldova and Romania before striking Ukraine, according to Kyiv’s military chief. Sandu condemned the airspace violation in a tweet, reaffirming the country’s commitment to safety.
Moldova has also faced energy shortages after Ukraine halted electricity exports due to Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, and Gazprom cut gas deliveries by half last year. Intelligence agencies have accused Russia of attempting to destabilise Moldova’s pro‑European trajectory through paid anti‑government protests. Despite these challenges, Sandu thanked Gavrilita for her “sacrifice and huge efforts in leading the country through so many crises.”
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