Another Moldovan region has asked for "Russia's protection."
Gagauzia is a small autonomous region within Moldova. In fact, it is three small cities (including the capital, Comrat) and a little more than 20 villages in the south of the country.
In the summer of 2023, Moscow succeeded in electing a loyal leader of the autonomy - Yevgenia Gutsul from the pro-Russian ȘOR Party. Actually, party support is all that voters knew about her - and high trust in Russian propaganda. This was enough for victory.
Even then, experts noted that by gaining official control over a region loyal to Russia, the Kremlin would move to destabilize Moldova.
The head of Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, arrived in Moscow today. She met with Valentina Matvienko, chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.
Gutsul said that the rights of the region "are oppressed by Moldova, it crosses all borders, and the region asks for Russia's support."
Moldovan President Maia Sandu earlier reported that Gagauzia is undergoing a large-scale propaganda campaign by Moscow against the country's leadership and EU benefits.