High stakes in the Republic of Moldova Adam Burakowski 23.09.2025 12:28 DrukujPDFPhoto. European Union/WikiMediaCommons,CC BY 4.0 FacebookTwitterLinkedInCopy linkSend email The Republic of Moldova, a mid-sized country situated between Ukraine and Romania, has long been overshadowed by its geography and history. The contest pits the pro-Western ruling camp led by president Maia Sandu against a pro-Russian bloc centered around former president Igor Dodon. From the outset, Republic of Moldova has been torn between pro-European and pro-Russian sentiments. The Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP), an umbrella coalition of pro-Russian groups led by Igor Dodon, remains a serious contender.