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Russia Today
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Putin eases migration rules for post-Soviet state
President Vladimir Putin has eased entry and employment rules for Moldovan citizens coming to Russia for work. The decision comes during strained relations between Moscow and Moldova's pro-EU, pro-Ukrainian government. Moldova, a former Soviet republic, borders Romania and Ukraine. About 15% of its population speaks Russian fluently. Under a decree signed on Friday, Moldovan nationals arriving in Russia from October 1 will be granted more time to complete registration procedures and will be allowed to work without a permit. Those entering between October 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, will not be required to declare their purpose of travel and will be permitted to work without a special permit for about a year. They will also be shielded from deportation, provided they are not charged with criminal offenses in Russia, including illegal border crossing. Roughly 500,000 Moldovans currently reside in Russia, opposition MP Vadim Fotescu told Izvestia last month. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Moscow of interfering in the country's internal affairs and attempting to topple her government. Russia has denied the allegation. Opposition figures, including former President Igor Dodon, have in turn accused Sandu of stifling dissent and abandoning Moldova's traditionally close ties with Russia. Earlier this month, Moscow condemned the prosecution of Evghenia Gutul, the governor of Moldova's largely Russian-speaking autonomous region of Gagauzia, who opposes Sandu's pro-EU agenda. Gutul was detained in March and charged with campaign finance violations. In June, Russia arrested two Moldovan nationals on suspicion of espionage, prompting Chisinau to issue a travel warning and accuse Moscow of 'harassing' its citizens. 'All law-abiding Moldovan citizens are always welcome here. And they know it,' Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at the time.
Reuters
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Moldova's pro-Russian parties unite to press for September election win
CHISINAU, July 22 (Reuters) - Four pro-Russian parties in Moldova said on Tuesday they would form a bloc in order to press for victory in September's parliamentary election and oust the current government committed to seeking European Union membership by 2030. The vote, scheduled for September 28, could see President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity unable to keep a majority in the assembly in the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. The bloc brings together the Party of Socialists, headed by former president Igor Dodon, the Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova parties, as well as the Communist Party. "We are in favour of re-establishing strategic ties with Russia. We want peace, not war ... Our bloc will put an end to foreign interests and NATO," Dodon told a press conference as he introduced the new union. Sandu, who has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accuses the Kremlin of trying to destabilise Moldova, won re-election last year by a razor-thin margin over a Socialist challenger. And a referendum asking voters to back the drive for EU membership only just cleared a 50% majority. Parliament Chairman Igor Grosu, who also leads Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), dismissed the left-wing bloc as a Kremlin invention. "Tired politicians who have swapped places in power and kept Moldova in poverty and a grey zone have been hauled out of mothballs at the Kremlin's behest," Grosu wrote on social media. "What unites all these worn-out politicians? The same sack of money and the same boss behind it. We must keep Moldova on the same path into the European Union." On July 19, Moldova's Central Election Commission refused to register the pro-Russian Victory bloc, formed in 2024 and backed by pro-Kremlin fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, for the vote on grounds of violating electoral financing laws. Moldovan officials have said that Shor has played a leading role in Russian-backed interference aimed at derailing Moldova's EU course. Shor denied the allegations and dismissed the decision as absurd. A poll published last week credited Sandu's PAS with 27.4% of voting intentions ahead of the election, compared to 10.4% for the opposition Socialists and 6.2% for the Victory bloc.
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Moldova's pro-Russian parties unite to press for September election win
FILE PHOTO: People, including Moldova's former President Igor Dodon, take part in a procession on Victory Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Chisinau, Moldova, May 9, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo CHISINAU - Four pro-Russian parties in Moldova said on Tuesday they would form a bloc in order to press for victory in September's parliamentary election and oust the current government committed to seeking European Union membership by 2030. The vote, scheduled for September 28, could see President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity unable to keep a majority in the assembly in the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. The bloc brings together the Party of Socialists, headed by former president Igor Dodon, the Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova parties, as well as the Communist Party. "We are in favour of re-establishing strategic ties with Russia. We want peace, not war ... Our bloc will put an end to foreign interests and NATO," Dodon told a press conference as he introduced the new union. Sandu, who has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accuses the Kremlin of trying to destabilise Moldova, won re-election last year by a razor-thin margin over a Socialist challenger. And a referendum asking voters to back the drive for EU membership only just cleared a 50% majority. Parliament Chairman Igor Grosu, who also leads Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), dismissed the left-wing bloc as a Kremlin invention. "Tired politicians who have swapped places in power and kept Moldova in poverty and a grey zone have been hauled out of mothballs at the Kremlin's behest," Grosu wrote on social media. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving "What unites all these worn-out politicians? The same sack of money and the same boss behind it. We must keep Moldova on the same path into the European Union." On July 19, Moldova's Central Election Commission refused to register the pro-Russian Victory bloc, formed in 2024 and backed by pro-Kremlin fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, for the vote on grounds of violating electoral financing laws. Moldovan officials have said that Shor has played a leading role in Russian-backed interference aimed at derailing Moldova's EU course. Shor denied the allegations and dismissed the decision as absurd. A poll published last week credited Sandu's PAS with 27.4% of voting intentions ahead of the election, compared to 10.4% for the opposition Socialists and 6.2% for the Victory bloc. REUTERS
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Moldova's pro-Russian parties unite to seek September election win
CHISINAU (Reuters) -Four pro-Russian parties in Moldova said on Tuesday they will form a bloc in order to secure victory in September's parliamentary election and beat the current pro-European government. The vote, scheduled for September 28, could see President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity unable to secure a majority in the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. The bloc will merge the Party of Socialists, headed by former president Igor Dodon, the Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova parties, as well as the Communist Party. "We are in favour of re-establishing strategic ties with Russia. We want peace, not war ... Our bloc will put an end to foreign interests and NATO," Dodon told a press conference as he introduced the new union. Sandu won re-election last year by a razor-thin margin over a Socialist challenger and a referendum asking voters to back the drive for EU membership only just cleared a 50% majority. On July 19, Moldova's election committee refused to register the bloc Victory, formed in 2024 and backed by pro-Kremlin fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, for the vote. Moldovan officials have said that Shor has played a leading role in Russian-backed interference aimed at derailing Moldova's EU course. Shor denies the allegations and dismissed the decision as absurd. Solve the daily Crossword
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Moldova's pro-Russian parties unite to seek September election win
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: People, including Moldova's former President Igor Dodon, take part in a procession on Victory Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Chisinau, Moldova, May 9, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo CHISINAU - Four pro-Russian parties in Moldova said on Tuesday they will form a bloc in order to secure victory in September's parliamentary election and beat the current pro-European government. The vote, scheduled for September 28, could see President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity unable to secure a majority in the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. The bloc will merge the Party of Socialists, headed by former president Igor Dodon, the Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova parties, as well as the Communist Party. "We are in favour of re-establishing strategic ties with Russia. We want peace, not war ... Our bloc will put an end to foreign interests and NATO," Dodon told a press conference as he introduced the new union. Sandu won re-election last year by a razor-thin margin over a Socialist challenger and a referendum asking voters to back the drive for EU membership only just cleared a 50% majority. On July 19, Moldova's election committee refused to register the bloc Victory, formed in 2024 and backed by pro-Kremlin fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, for the vote. Moldovan officials have said that Shor has played a leading role in Russian-backed interference aimed at derailing Moldova's EU course. Shor denies the allegations and dismissed the decision as absurd. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Asia Japan looks at building first atomic reactor since Fukushima Business Chat with experts on brand media coverage at the latest Conversations with ST Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
