Putin and European Nations Increase Rhetorical pressure on Ukraine’s Neighbors
Chisinau, Moldova – September 28, 2025 – A coordinated escalation in rhetoric from moscow and select European capitals is raising concerns about increased pressure on Moldova and Georgia, both nations bordering Ukraine and harboring pro-Western aspirations. Recent statements from Russian officials, coupled with increasingly assertive messaging from political figures in Hungary and Slovakia, signal a concerted effort to destabilize the region and undermine support for Kyiv.
The intensifying pressure manifests as accusations of harboring “anti-Russian elements,” amplified disinformation campaigns, and thinly veiled threats regarding security. this coordinated approach, analysts say, aims to deter Moldova and Georgia from further integration with the European Union and to create a buffer zone favorable to Russian interests. The situation is especially acute in Moldova, where pro-Russian factions are actively attempting to exploit existing political and economic vulnerabilities. Slovakia’s newly elected Prime Minister Robert Fico has already signaled a halt to military aid for Ukraine, aligning with Moscow’s narrative and potentially emboldening further aggression.
The Kremlin has consistently framed its actions in ukraine as a response to perceived NATO expansion and Western interference in its “sphere of influence.” On September 26, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Moldova and Georgia of becoming “staging grounds for hostile activities” against Russia, reiterating claims of Western military buildup in the region.Simultaneously, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly criticized EU sanctions against Russia and called for direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, echoing Kremlin talking points. These actions are occurring as Ukraine continues to fight a defensive war against Russia’s ongoing invasion, launched in Febuary 2022.
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu has repeatedly warned of Russia’s attempts to destabilize her country, citing evidence of hybrid warfare tactics including disinformation, cyberattacks, and support for separatist movements in Transnistria, a Russian-backed breakaway region within Moldova. Georgia faces similar challenges, with ongoing Russian occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, breakaway regions recognized by Russia following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. The EU has pledged support for both nations’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, but the effectiveness of this support is increasingly questioned given the internal divisions within the bloc and the growing influence of pro-Russian voices. The situation demands a unified and resolute response from the West to prevent further escalation and safeguard the stability of Eastern Europe.
