Tiny European region you’ve never heard of could be siding with Putin | World | News

A small part of Europe is weighing whether to join the EU or side with Putin. Located on the borders of Moldova, Gagauzia is an autonomous region with a unique identity and a complex history.

Known as the Gagauzia Autonomous Region, this region is a cultural enclave with its own language, traditions and political aspirations. Accordingly reportsGagauzia declared its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but later returned to Moldova as an autonomous region. But political disagreements did not disappear and problems continue to this day. Tensions increased after Russia invaded Ukraine.

However, after a referendum to see whether Gagauzia wanted to join the EU, 95 percent of the population overwhelmingly voted no, and people turned more towards Russia. D.W..

The referendum took place in 2024. The results revealed that most people in the small region are pro-Russian, despite EU support and the war in Ukraine.

“Gagauzia wants to be a friend of Russia,” said Valentina, a middle-aged woman of Ukrainian origin, as she sorted bills on a park bench in Comrat, the capital of Gagauzia.

The rejection of the EU was a remarkable outcome; Even in the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria, where Russian troops have been deployed for more than 30 years, more than a third of the population voted in favor of joining the EU.

On June 25, 2024, the EU opened negotiations with Moldova, an important step in deepening the country’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. reports to say.

Recent tensions between Gagauzia and Moldova’s central government have escalated due to President Maia Sandu’s staunch pro-Ukrainian stance and desire to join the EU.

However, Evghenia Gutul, the governor of Moldova’s Gagauzia region, is pro-Russian.

Moldova is a landlocked country located in the northeastern corner of Europe’s Balkan region.

The future of the autonomous region Gagauzia remains uncertain.