The signing of those Association Agreements is the signal that the Europeans are taking this seriously, that they are not shrinking back, that they are prepared to contest with Russia for influence and primacy across the former Soviet space, he said.
Moldovas alliance with the EU is complicated by the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transdniestra, sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine.
The region declared independence in 1990 - but has not been recognized by any other state. Over a thousand Russian troops are deployed on the territory.
Speaking in April, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Transdniestrans should not be forced to follow Moldovas lead.
Putin said there is a large number of Russian citizens living in Transdniestria. People have their own understanding how they should build their future, their fate, he said. And that is nothing else but a manifestation of democracy if we allow to those people to do what they want.
The recent violence between pro-Russian and pro-Kyiv supporters in Ukraines Black Sea port of Odessa has focused attention on Russias links to Transdniestra, says Orysia Lutsevych of policy institute Chatham House.
Because of the level of corruption weve seen in Ukraine, it [Odessa] was one of the hubs also for smuggling and trade for the territories including Transdniestra, said Lutsevych. And we see some of the roots connecting through the southern corridor, from Transdniestra through Odessa to Russia.
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