Two former Soviet states, Moldova and Georgia have both formally applied for European Union membership in a move which is certain to anger Putin’s Russia.

• Moldova and Georgia have both formally applied for European Union membership

• Moldova has a breakaway region, Transnistria, a pro-Russian region which remains under Russian control.

•  In 2008, Putin inflamed fighting in Georgia’s South Ossetia under the pretext of stifling slaughter by the Georgian government.

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With Russia battering Ukraine into pieces, two countries have signed formal applications to join the European Union. Why are Georgia and Moldova so unnerved and hastily seeking a fast-track EU membership?

Two former Soviet states, Moldova and Georgia have both formally applied for European Union membership in a move which is certain to anger Putin’s Russia.

This move has become apparently important given ongoing invasion in Ukraine by Russia. With Ukraine earnestly pleading for an accelerated EU membership, Georgia and Moldova have opted to chart the same pro-Western course.

Moldova, a former Soviet State

Moldova was a Soviet territory before it voted for independence from the Union. To some, especially in Moscow, it was unthinkable. And that would be moreso under the ever-scrutinizing eyes of Putin.

With Moldova’s independence came a challenge. Soviet Union may be over but the ever flaming embers of the Soviet Union (Russia) was still breathing down the neck of the tiny independent nation.

Predictably, fighting intensified in 1992 in  Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria, a pro-Russian region which wanted to remain under Russian control.

The fighting raged on for few months between the Moldovan army and pro-Russian rebels who were backed by the ex-14th Soviet army. Eventually, in 1992, a peace treaty was signed between Moldova and the Russian Federation.

Today, Transnistra, a pro-Russian separatist region is sandwiched in between Ukraine and Moldova. Moldova absolutely understands what is coming for it if Ukraine falls. Ukraine, a comparatively larger territory also has two breakaway pro-Russian regions, Luhansk and Donetsk.

Signing of the EU membership

Moldovan President, Maia Sandu, signs the EU membership agreement

The Moldovan President – Maia Sandu, the prime minister and the parliamentary speaker of the country each took turns to sign the EU membership document during a briefing in the capital Chisinau.

In a touchy speech, the Moldovan President said that, It took 30 years for Moldova to reach maturity, but today the country is ready to take responsibility for its own future.”

She continued that, “We want to live in peace, prosperity, be part of the free world. While some decisions take time, others must be made quickly and decisively, and taking advantage of the opportunities that come with a changing world,”

She was apparently referring to the onslaught rolling in Ukraine with Putin’s army slashing and bashing Ukrainians left and right. But getting into the EU is not as quick as she hoped. First, the application would be sent to Brussels in the days that followed.

Georgia, another former Soviet nation follows suit

Georgia’s call for immediate inclusion into the EU couldn’t have come in a good time.

In 2008, Putin inflamed fighting in its unstable South Ossetia and under the pretext of stifling slaughter by the Georgian government, autocratic Putin marched his Russian army to occupy the nation fighting a bloody war that lead to two breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

With Putin not interested in just Luhansk and Donetsk in Ukraine, Georgia must be jittering that Putin may come for all of Georgia in the future especially given the fact that EU block are reluctant to immediately absorb Georgia into its fold.

Georgia’s EU application was expected

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili,Prime Minister of Georgia ,signs the EU membership agreement

Georgia has also applied for EU membership following in Ukraine’s footsteps.

After signing the application letter, Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili said that “Georgia is a European state and continues to make a valuable contribution to its protection and development,”

He continued that, “History has deemed the European choice of the Georgian people as its strategic aim.”

But joining the EU is not just about fancy and populist words. Deliberations and negotiations take many years as a lot is expected of the candidate country, primary among them is the potential country’s legislation must be aligned with the EU’s norms, freedoms, and legislation.

And guess what, all the 27-bloc members of the EU must agree to the inclusion of the new member. Unfortunately, negotiations to include Kiev and Chisinau have not even started. This is bad news, particularly for Ukraine which is sitting on a time bomb.

But with EU leaders slated to discuss Ukraine’s request during an informal summit next month, a streak of hope still hangs delicately in the air, but not too far from a Russian artillery fire.

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