**Russia Cuts Gas Supply to Moldova, Creating Crisis in Transnistria**
On January 1st, Russia halted natural gas supplies to Moldova. This move has created an unprecedented economic crisis in the Russian-occupied part of the country, known as Transnistria.
The crisis has raised questions about whether the breakaway region can survive without Russian gas. For years, free-of-charge gas supplied by Russia had been a crucial lifeline for the region’s economy.
**Romania’s Presidential Election Shocks with Far-Right Win**
In Romania, a surprise win in the first round of presidential elections has sent shockwaves through the country and beyond. Far-right candidate Calin Georgescu took nearly 23% of the vote, surprising many who had predicted a different outcome.
Georgescu’s victory is seen as a strong showing for far-right politicians critical of military support for Ukraine. His platform included anti-NATO sentiments and pro-Russia positions.
**Belarus on High Alert Ahead of Presidential Elections**
In Belarus, authorities are on full alert ahead of upcoming presidential elections in January 2025. A new wave of police raids has targeted relatives of political prisoners, while counter-protest drills have been conducted to prevent “manifestations of extremism and terrorism” during the election campaign.
The country’s dictator, Alexander Lukashenko, has pardoned 31 political prisoners as pre-election police raids intensify. He has also allowed the family to visit Maria Kalesnikava in jail, ending over 600 days of holding her prominent pro-democracy activist.
**Russian Military Doctrine Updated to Cover Belarus**
Russia’s military doctrine was updated to cover Belarus with a “strategic partnership” clause. This move has heightened tensions between Russia and its neighbors.
Meanwhile, two of Alexander Lukashenko’s challengers in the upcoming presidential elections have dropped out before the race even started, pledging support for the Belarusian dictator.
**Romania’s Ruling Party Loses Ground**
In Romania’s parliamentary elections, the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) received 22.5% of the votes, according to results from more than 99% polling stations published on December 2nd.
This marks a significant loss for the PSD, which had been seen as one of the stronger parties in the country.
**Russian Ruble Hits Lowest Point Since March 2022**
The purchasing power of the Russian ruble has hit its lowest point since March 2022, highlighting the economic toll of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s expanding spending on the war has fueled inflation, prompting Russia’s Central Bank to hike its interest rate to the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.
**Russian Duma Bans Childfree Propaganda**
More than a decade after Russian lawmakers banned “LGBTQ+ propaganda,” the Kremlin has found a new target in Russians who don’t want children. The Russian State Duma voted on November 12th to outlaw support and promotion of “childfree propaganda,” imposing fines on those who engage in such activities.