Sec State Blinken Presser In Moldova Underway Shortly

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is shortly due to deliver a joint press conference with Moldova’s pro-EU President, Maia Sandu, in Chisinau, Moldova after a meeting earlier today. Blinken's trip is a public show of support ahead of an October general election where Sandu will face a pro-Russian candidate and potential interference from Moscow. On the same day, Moldovans will also vote in a referendum on the country's future in the European Union. LIVESTREAM

• The NYT notes: “U.S. officials said Mr. Blinken would speak with Ms. Sandu and other top officials about potential threats to the country’s democratic processes, as well as efforts to wean the nation off electricity generated in the pro-Russia separatist region of Transnistria.”
• James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told reporters last week that Blinken would announce a “robust package” of support for Moldova’s energy independence but declined to elaborate.
• The trip comes with added signficant after the parliament of the Republican of Georgia approved a law which would classify Western-backed NGOs and media outlets as “foreign agents.” The law, similar to one enacted in Russia, is widely seen as pushing Georgia back towards Russia.
• Moldova and Georgia - long viewed, with Ukraine, as a troika of post-Soviet states on track for incorporation into the EU and NATO - now both appear at risk of democratic backsliding and realignment with Moscow.