Moldova’s EU membership hinges on resisting influence of pro-Russian oligarchs

05:28

Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Moldova, a small country between Romania and Ukraine, has been grappling with the influence of oligarchs – rich businessmen with close links to power. Often pro-Russian and backed by the Kremlin, the main oligarchs have been convicted by Moldovan courts, but have fled the country. Despite their absence and progressive power loss, some remain very active in politics and are fomenting what President Maia Sandu calls a ‘hybrid war” led by Russia. The fight against the influence of oligarchs will be one of the conditions for Moldova to join the European Union, as FRANCE 24’s Maria Gerth-Niculescu reports.