Moldova is at a political crossroads after a weekend of pivotal votes. President Maia Sandu, who favors closer ties with the EU, will face pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stoianoglo in a second-round presidential election. Nearly 50% of voters supported enshrining EU membership as a national goal in a referendum. Sandu accused Russia of attempting to influence the vote through financial manipulation, but Moscow denied the allegations. Moldova, long divided between European and Russian influence, now inches toward a pro-Western future.
