E-International Relations "The Geopolitics of Moldova’s Wine Industry"

 

 

"The Geopolitics of Moldova’s Wine Industry"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

E-International Relations 

12 February, 2025

Published: https://www.e-ir.info/2025/02/12/opinion-the-geopolitics-of-moldovas-wine-industry/

The Republic of Moldova has been deeply affected by the war in Ukraine. The war severely affected Chisinau-Moscow relations to the point that Russia cut energy supplies to Moldova, forcing Chisinau to completely overhaul its energy security strategy – a painful and expensive process for the country and its population. Yet, President Maia Sandu, re-elected in late 2024, has remained steadfast in her support for Kyiv. On the other hand, sectors of Moldova’s economy better adapted to the war and its consequences, specifically Moldova’s famous wine industry. The primary reason why the wine industry generally did not suffer due to the war was because Russia had previously applied sanctions, in 2006 and 2013-2014, against Moldova that had forced Chisinau to look for new markets and partners, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on the Russian wine market.