Weekly Roundup: EU Says Moldova Made the Fastest Progress Among Candidate Countries
November 7, 2025
International Affairs & European Integration
On November 4th the European Union released the annual EU Enlargement Package. This report lays out the birds eye view of EU enlargement as well as country specific progress reports. It was presented at a press conference by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. Summarizing the overall situation they stated:
“Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have positive chances of joining the EU, while Georgia’s chances are smaller”
In the country by country reports, the Enlargement Package states that Montenegro is the most prepared candidate country in terms of accession negotiations overall, but that “The Republic of Moldova has made the most progress in one year among all candidate countries.”
Marta Kos elaborated on this point saying:
“Moldova has made the most progress, but accession negotiations have not yet started. (…) This does not mean that reforms are not on the right track, but there are a series of rules that must be followed. Even so, the Republic of Moldova must continue to develop. The EU could open negotiation clusters with Moldova and Ukraine in November 2025”
Other statements also emphasized that Moldova is ready to open 3 negotiating clusters “alongside Ukraine.” This formula indicates that Moldova and Ukraine’s paths towards the EU continue to be linked, meaning that Hungary will continue to block forward movement.
President Sandu was in Brussels and was presented by Marta Kos with a copy of the report in person. In a short video filmed for the event Kos addressed President Sandu saying::
“… We still have work to do in the fight against corruption. We need to make the economy more stable and developed. And this is my commitment to you. All of this is found in the report. But beyond them are human relations and this is what I wanted to tell you: I truly appreciate you, your team and the people of the Republic of Moldova who are demonstrating that it is possible to defeat Russia - and I’m so happy about this!!”
Roberta Metsola Visits Chisinau
President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola visited Chisinau on November 7th and addressed parliament. She began her speech in Romanian with “Dear Europeans” and went on to congratulate Moldovans on their 3rd election in a row choosing a path of EU integration. During her visit she announced the official opening of a liaison office of the European Parliament in Chisinau and promised the parliament’s support for Moldova will be “absolutely unwavering.”
Vladimir Vornonin and the Communist faction did not attend the event, opting instead to gather at the statue of Lenin on the “anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution” (Oct 17 O.S, Nov 7 N.S). Dodon and the Socialists did attend the speech, stating that “any external visit that improves Moldova’s image is useful. Therefore, we will participate in the meeting, listen to the President’s speech, and welcome her.”
In other international affairs news President Sandu gave a speech at the Paris Peace Forum on October 29th. You can read the full address here:
Political News
Following the vote of confidence on Friday October 31st, the new government took their oaths of office and were sworn in by President Sandu on November 1st. The new ministers spent the beginning of the week with handover events where they met their ministry teams and discussed ongoing work and future priorities. Then, Prime Minister Munteanu gathered the government in their first official meeting on November 5th. Speaking to his cabinet the Prime Minister discussed the public expectations as well as their challenges and stated that “We will succeed if we are a team.”
While the government voted on many draft orders of business, the most discussed has been a decision to renounce the bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation on the “Russian Center for Culture and Science” in Chisinau.
This bilateral agreement dates to 1998 and nominally supports educational, scientific and cultural exchanges between the countries. Speaking in the government meeting in support of the unilateral termination of the agreement, Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan stated:
“The Russian Cultural Center was not cultural at all, it was a center under the cover of which activities were carried out to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova”
Following the announcement, MPs from the Socialist Party announced that they would go to court to challenge this decision. The Russian Embassy called it “mistaken and counterproductive,” and noted that the earliest that this decision could be terminated would be mid-2026. The Embassy also stated that they would bring more of these programs in-house should the center be shut down.
Other Political News
Here’s a roundup of the other top political stories of the week:
There will be no parliamentary friendship groups with Russia or Belarus. This was announced by Deputy Speaker Doina Gherman who justified the move stating:
“We are convinced of the need to create friendship groups with states that respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of other countries, as well as human dignity and freedom,”
The authorities are working on a solution to the Lukoil problem. Prime Minister Munteanu stated that the government is working to assure supplies of aviation fuel for the airport in light of US sanctions against Lukoil. The US Treasury has given until November 21st to conclude all business with Lukoil and Rosneft following the leveling of sanctions against the Russian energy giants. Moldova’s National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) has held meetings with the US Embassy to discuss the impact of these sanctions already. Lukoil announced this week that they have accepted an offer from the global commodities trader Guvnor to purchase their foreign assets - this was later withdrawn when the US Treasury categorically rejected the sales of one Russian company’s assets to another Russian company1. What this means for Moldova is not yet clear. The country is most exposed to the sanctions in the supply of aviation fuel as Lukoil is essentially a monopolist in this sector.
Parliament has voted to form 12 standing committees. These will entail the same 11 as the last parliament plus a new Committee on European Integration which will be headed by Marcel Spatari. Another notable announcement was that Renato Usatii will be the deputy chair of the Committee for National Security, Defense and Public Order.
Dinu Plângău will stay with PAS for 100 days. The leader of Dignity and Truth turned MP on the PAS list says that he has a “gentleman’s agreement” with colleagues in PAS to stay in the party faction for this period of time. This follows his past announcement that he and his colleague would depart to become independent MPs - an announcement that he backtracked on to support the government formation. Following the hundred day mark he says that they will re-evaluate.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced a “complex control” of the finances of the Patriotic Bloc and Heart of Moldova Parties. This process will entail a comprehensive financial audit of the parties and bloc’s spending during and before the election cycle. Based on the dates that they plan to focus on it appears to primarily focus on Irina Vlah’s Heart of Moldova Party, but will also scrutinize the Patriotic Bloc that they were a member of before they were removed from the election.
Nicu Popescu will leave parliament to become the Moldovan President’s Special Envoy for European Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. What this position entails is somewhat unclear, but he has stated that he will support the government’s work on European integration. Almost certainly, he will do this from his home in France. In total 8 PAS MPs have left their seats in parliament. In addition to Popescu, 5 have left to become ministers and 2 have retired from politics - Dorin Recean and Artur Mija. They will be replaced as MPs by the next 8 candidates on the PAS party list.
Shor, Security & Hybrid War
Here’s a roundup of the top news of Russia’s hybrid war from the past week:
Police conduct raids targeting Moldovans fighting as mercenaries for Russia. Alongside prosecutors they conducted searches at multiple locations around the country targeting people suspected of fighting in Ukraine and elsewhere for the Kremlin. The suspects are being investigated at large and the investigation is being conducted in cooperation with Europol and the Ukrainian authorities. Law enforcement released a statement about the searches
“Following the investigations, law enforcement officers obtained evidence indicating that the suspects had intentionally enlisted, out of material interest, in illegal paramilitary formations, such as “Wagner” and similar ones, both in Ukraine and in other states. Therefore, for the promised money, they would have participated as combatants in various armed conflicts, including the war in Ukraine,”
The Guardian reports that Romanian mercenary Horațiu Potra was arrested in Dubai while trying to flee to Russia. Pontra is wanted in Romania for attempting to “overthrow the constitutional order” in conspiracy with Calin Georgescu. He was arrested on September 24th as he attempted to fly to Russia to claim asylum. The Guardian reports that he is fighting extradition to Romania with the assistance of the leader of the Russian Middle East Society, Igor Spivak, and “Moldovan” Alexandr Kalinin, former leader of the Party of Regions of Moldova. Kalinin has worked from Russia to recruit Moldovans to fight in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. He once filmed himself painting “For Moldova” on the side of a rocket near the front. President Sandu stripped him of his citizenship in 2023. These connections show further “smoke” for those trying to connect Horațiu Potra, Calin Georgescu and George Simion to the Kremlin.
Svetlana Panciuc, Shor Party boss for Edineț was sentenced to 4 years in prison for illicit party financing. Panciuc was convicted for various crimes related to her work from July to October 2022, some of which included paying protestors $100 / day to maintain Shor Party tent camps. She did not show up for sentencing and is now wanted. She is one of an increasing number of regional Shor leaders whose cases have made their way through court to guilty verdicts. At the same time, the case highlights how, even if justice proceeds, it has had limited deterrent effect2.
A group of Armenian journalists visited the ZdG offices in Chisinau to learn from the Moldovan investigative outlet’s work outing Russian hybrid attacks. The visit was organized by the Estonian organization PractNet, whose organizer explained the visit saying:
“ It is obvious that Russia wants to hijack the elections in Armenia as well. To give you an example, Sergei Kiriyenko is responsible for both the elections in the Republic of Moldova and those in Armenia. The Kremlin is trying to learn the lesson from the Republic of Moldova and be more effective in Armenia. That is why Armenian journalists are here, to learn how the Republic of Moldova managed not to allow the hijacking of the elections”
Moldova’s National Integrity Authority (ANI) found a 1.2 million lei discrepancy between spending and declared income for Bashkan Gutsul. The investigation spanned only 2024 and 2025, and the ANI is seeking the seizure of assets in this amount. The decision can be appealed, but if it is upheld in court the Bashkan will be officially removed from office and banned from holding various government positions for 3 years. Bashkan Gutsul is currently in prison but remains (technically) the Bashkan.
Chairman of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia Dmitry Konstantinov seeks to distance himself from Shor. Konstantinov did an interview with TV8 where he claimed that Ilan Shor no longer maintains any influence over the region. He stated “The elections are over, and someone is always left feeling aggrieved, but the whole world follows the winner. Gagauzia may have held a referendum3, but we didn’t say we’d take a different path. We still live in Moldova and will continue down this path.” Asked about when he attended the launch of the Pobeda (Victory) Bloc in Moscow he said that he was simply on vacation. Asked about visits to see Shor in Israel he claimed he was “forced.” It appears that “whole world follows the winner” indeed.
Crime, Corruption and Plaha
Here’s a roundup of the top justice related stories of the week:
Plahotniuc made a new facebook post through his lawyers promising again to return to politics. Much of the post is consumed by complaints about how gigantic his criminal file is, and some parts are truly wild - such as this line: “In the serious world of genuine justice, not of the so-called vetting, the file in my name will be declared inconsistent, devoid of convincing arguments and unfounded.” Essentially, if he was to be tried before the vetting procedure removed corrupt judges he would have already been let go4. He promised to return to politics once his name was cleared, ending with “See you soon!”
Prosecutors have requested a sentence of 15 years in prison for Constantin Țuțu. They are also requesting the confiscation of 3 million lei and €20,000 euros from Plaha’s close associate. He remains in preventative detention as his cases proceed.
Dorin Damir, godson of Vladimir Plahotnic, was detained following searches in connection to raider attacks on Proimobile. He and his associate Octavian Orheianu are being investigated in cases involving tax evasion, money laundering, influence peddling and blackmail. The case relates to the “sale” of the capital’s largest real estate company to a young athlete for 1000 lei in 2018. Dorin Damir runs (still) the Fighting & Entertainment Association where this athlete was a member. The case is complex but is widely understood to be a classic corporate raid (see footnote5).
Romanian police and prosecutors announced searches against doctors who allegedly obtained false residency certificates in Moldova. The doctors, some of whom were certified in emergency medicine, plastic surgery and other specialized fields, allegedly registered proof of having completed residencies in Moldova - while never leaving Romania. These documents claimed to be from Nicolae Testemitanu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Chisinau. Moldova’s new Minister of Health Emil Ceban, who was the Rector of said university until last week, claimed that this is not possible and that he would be in contact with the Romanian authorities to better understand the situation. He stated:
“Everything is digitalized. Every exam is digitalized. Every grade given cannot be changed by anyone. You can see every hour who entered and who left the system. If the student is absent for more than 2-3 days, the system crashes”
Romanian journalists have since reported that Minister Emil Ceban personally signed the diplomas of the doctors in question. The Minister and the University have since rejected any accusations of wrongdoing. They noted that some remote work options were allowed during the pandemic for doctors to get credit for working at hospitals in their home countries. They have pledged to clarify with the Romanian authorities.
The TUX Crypto Ponzi scheme6. On October 8th the TUX Moldova crypto trading platform collapsed. Users of the platform began getting notices the night before saying that their accounts were frozen and they needed to deposit another $100 USDT in order to unlock them. This was billed as a compliance fee for “Know Your Customer” (KYC) regulations but was really just an attempt to get a last payout before the Ponzi scheme went down. Users posted videos of themselves rushing to the TUX offices demanding information and their money back. TUX had promised users a unique “AI trading platform” where all they needed to do was deposit money ($100 minimum) and they would get returns of 4% / day7. The National Cybercrime Center announced an investigation on October 10th but noted that at that time no users had filed formal complaints. Some users who spoke to ZdG noted that they understood it was a scheme and plotted to be some of the few people who get out early enough to make money anyhow. To date we have no idea how many people were caught up in the scheme and what the losses were. On November 6th police conducted searches targeting cases of money laundering, tax evasion and illicit business activity. 5 people were detained including the TUX Moldova leadership. Currently crypto trading is not legal in Moldova and has no regulatory oversight. The new government has promised to change that.
A Ludicrous MMA Match at the Arena
I wasn’t sure whether to put this story in the category of crime, hybrid war, or Plahotniuc - it’s kinda all three.
Plaha’s godson Dorin Damir’s Fighting & Entertainment Association announced an MMA fight at the Chisinau arena between Jeff Monson and Ion Soltoianu. Monson is an American born MMA fighter who moved to Russia after the initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 to support the war. He has since renounced his American citizenship in order to stand for election in Russia - where he currently serves as a United Russia deputy in the regional parliament in Bashkortostan. He’s a rabid war supporter and “citizen” of the Luhansk People’s Republic and Republic of Abkhazia.
Jeff Monson has been on a strange journey. He is a self described “anarcho-communist” and his attraction to Russia seems to have been his desire to join the cult of Lenin8. He briefly joined the Russian Communist Party before aligning with Putin and being granted citizenship (basically for his propaganda work). More recently he converted to Islam.
Ion Șoltoianu is a former Moldovan and USSR champion of various martial arts. In 2013 he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for murder when she shot a former police officer and business partner 3 times on a restaurant terrace. He was released in 2019 when the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that conditions in Prison 13 were inhumane - a common problem for Moldova (see footnote9). Since being released he got in trouble again when he assaulted a man walking his dog a few years back.
It’s unclear if Jeff Monson will be allowed in Moldova. It’s unclear what this crazy story is all about at all. We’ll circle back with updates.
Economics & Infrastructure
Here are the week’s top stories in economics and infrastructure news:
Minister of Labor and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru announced the start of the 2025-2026 energy compensation (subsidy) program. Online applications opened on November 3rd and will be open until the 28th. This year benefits will be calculated based on a new formula taking into account the number of people in a household, the type of heating, income, etc. They will be paid to people in cash on their bank cards. 162,000 applications came in during the first 2 days.
Chisinau’s Eugen Doga International Airport has announced a tender for expansion of the passenger terminal. They envision a 166 million lei (€8.4 million euro) project aimed at expanding capacity to manage recent congestion. Traffic at the airport this year is expected to break records and hit 6 million passengers. Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Bolea also announced a plan to renovate a disused train station near the airport to create a rail connection between the airport and downtown Chisinau. Test runs have shown a 20 km/h train making the journey in 12 minutes. They aim to improve the track and open it to the public with a 50 km/h run with an expected 6 minute connection to downtown. The Ministry has targeted spring 2026 for opening the rail link.
Ending on a High Note
Probably literally. After a 1 year break Moldova will return to the Eurovision song contest. Last year, the country withdrew abruptly stating a “decrease in public interest and the overall quality of the pieces and artistic performances.” Reading between the lines, it seemed that the organizers felt that the field of candidates was weak - you can judge for yourself if you like. This year the process was reformed to put 2 official producers in charge to create an emphasis on the “artistic value and international competitiveness of the pieces.” Submissions of original songs begin on November 7th and is open for 30 days.
Moldova has a habit of punching above its weight in Eurovision. Here are a few songs that did very well in the finals:
The country’s never got a #1 on Eurovision before. Maybe this is the year!
Also - if you want to know a Moldovan pop tune that you’ve almost certainly heard (in one of its many lives) check out this article I wrote last year on The Song that Keeps Coming Back:
Guvnor is headquartered in Switzerland and denies being a Russian company… but there are more than a few historical and recent links.
Specifically, this case would have been dismissed or derailed should pro-Kremlin political forces come to power. Mr. Shor has explicitly stated this numerous times. Justice can only progress if there is a political consensus that it should do so.
This refers to the illegal 2014 referendum where a majority of residents voted for independence. It was not meant as a declaration though, more of a warning to Chisinau (and a tool for the Kremlin to pull out periodically). Mr. Konstantinov is downplaying it as just an opinion poll - which they also do periodically.
Well, yup.
In the oligarchic days, a raid might work like this. A successful company, say “Real Estate Brokers LLC” gets raided by the tax inspectorate. They find lots of problems (probably some of which are real) and jail the owners. Then, through some complex schemes the company is sold (for nothing) to someone connected to the oligarch.
When the same persons run businesses and exercise a monopoly on the use of force in a society you get a captured state and a kleptocracy.
Editorial note: This story began on October 8th but I’ve been holding it until more details came out.
The effective APR rate would depend on whether this compounded daily or at some other schedule. Whatever the case though, a $100 investment would be netting something in the millions annually in return. This wasn’t a very serious attempt to hide the Ponzi scheme.
Notably, Lenin was NOT an anarcho-communist
The ECtHR has allowed itself to become a pawn in Moldovan politics for many years. If you have a very expensive lawyer, you can make this appeal on prison conditions and in many cases you are let out. Mr. Ion Șoltoianu was held in a modern and renovated part of the prison (as is Plahotniuc now), but the ECtHR does not evaluate cells or wings but the whole institution. Naturally, poor prisoners and common criminals do not have this “get out early” card available. Moldova has planned a new prison for years to address this issue but has yet to begin construction.
Moldova's progres in one year is impresive given the russian interference. The EU's recogntion of this shows they understand whats at stake for regional stability and democratic instituions in Eastern Europe.