New CNAS Policy Brief on How the United States and EU Can Strengthen Moldova and Georgia Against Russian Coercion

Washington, October 3, 2024 — Today, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) released a new policy brief, Exploiting Russian Weakness: Leaning in to Support the Pro-Western Orientation of Moldova and Georgia, by Nicholas Lokker and Andrea Kendall-Taylor.

The report analyzes Russia’s strategy and tactics toward both countries, highlights shared transatlantic interests in supporting their pro-Western trajectories, and offers recommendations for U.S. and European policymakers.

As Russia attempts to reassert dominance along its periphery amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin’s actions have triggered different geopolitical reorientations in different countries. Moldova and Georgia illustrate this two-directional trend—while the Georgian government has signaled more alignment with Russia, Moldova is strengthening its ties with the West.

However, these shifts may not be final. Both countries have key elections in October 2024 that could cement or reverse their paths. Russia has already taken steps to interfere in these elections, and could employ additional coercive tactics threatening stability along NATO’s eastern border.

The brief makes several recommendations for the transatlantic partners to bolster the resilience of Moldova and Georgia:

• Support Moldova’s European Union accession efforts to further its integration with Europe;

• Enhance efforts to counter disinformation;

• Bolster defense partnerships, particularly with Moldova;

• Increase targeted sanctions against the Georgian Dream government to deter pro-Kremlin influence;

• Provide robust support to local civil society organizations in both countries to build democratic resilience; and

• Resolutely back Ukraine’s war effort.

Join CNAS tomorrow for a virtual event from 10:00–11:00 a.m. EDT, where experts will discuss the upcoming elections and how the U.S. and EU can enhance support for Moldova and Georgia.

For more information or to arrange an interview with the report authors, please contact Alexa Whaley at [email protected].