Ukraine's neighbour 'very worried' about being invaded by Russia in Putins expansion

dailystar.co.uk:

Moldova has admitted that her nation is concerned about the possibility of Vladimir Putin expanding his invasion there. Natalia Gavrilita said that the war in Ukraine, which both Moldova and Russia share a border with, had caused concern.

In a CNN TV segment that aired on Sunday, she said: “We are worried, of course,” adding, “This is a risk, it’s a hypothetical scenario for now, but if the military actions move further into the southwestern part of Ukraine and toward Odesa, then of course, we are very worried.”READ MORE: 'Putin’s mini-me' sparks movement of Moldova fans wanting Russia to invade themMoldova used to be a part of the Soviet Union alongside Russia and Ukraine but gained its independence in 1991 when the Communist state fell.Despite its independence, Moldova has since continued to be heavily influenced by Russia’s political and economic power.The CIA’s World Fact Book says: “Despite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe.”Prime Minister Gavrilita has stressed that it isn’t only her people who have reason to be afraid.The leader, who rose to power in August last year, said: “This is a very difficult position not just for Moldova but for any small country, any country that relies on the rules-based international order.”She added: “If a country can start an annexation war without any regard for, you know, international law, then in this sense nobody is safe, and I think that a lot of countries are worried.”Gavrilita also discussed how, even without the threat of direct invasion, the impact of the war in Ukraine has already hit Moldova’s economy very hard.“Moldova is the most affected country after Ukraine economically from this war.