Pro-Western Moldova on December 17 launched military exercises near the Russia-backed breakaway region Of Transdniester, the Defense Ministry said, adding that the maneuvers were to run through December 22. The military said the exercises would take place at the Bulboaca Training Center. A Facebook posting showed military vehicles traveling along national roads in the region. Russia keeps more than 1,000 troops in Transdniester as “peacekeepers.” Moldova’s parliament on December 15 adopted a pro-Western national defense strategy in a move hailed by President Maia Sandu as a step forward toward security and stability.
