Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 came as a real shock to German elites and society alike. Although Russia has been behaving aggressively toward its neighbors since the invasion of Georgia in 2008 and the annexation of Crimea—part of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory—in 2014, it was only with this most recent military attack that the German leadership came to understand Russia’s behavior as a threat to German and European security.

On October 20, Moldovans will vote in both presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration. These elections are critical as they will set the stage for the 2025 parliamentary elections and indicate the level of support for President Maia Sandu and her liberal, pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). The outcome will also reflect public opinion on Moldova’s EU integration efforts, which have been central to Sandu's agenda. Despite achievements in governance, the PAS government faces criticism for falling short of building social cohesion and delivering all promised reforms. The EU can support Moldova by focusing on economic development and stability, job creation, enhancing administrative capacity, and supporting Moldova’s resilience against Russian hybrid threats.

European think tank leaders demand urgent EU sanctions on Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream government for election fraud, violence against civil society, and stalling EU integration. They urge action by December 16, warning that inaction risks Georgia’s slide into authoritarianism and undermines EU credibility. “Every day, Georgians fight for their European future,” the letter states, calling on the EU to stand firmly for democracy and human rights in its neighborhood.