All of the geopolitical deep weeds followers generally agree, if/when the U.S. triggers the first direct military strikes against Russian interests, what one might call the modern Archduke Ferdinand moment, it will likely take place in Moldova.
As a consequence, a very strategically weak and easily influenced Moldovan President, currently Maia Sandu, will be the manipulated leader who next puts her country in harm’s way.
Moldova has a significant population of pro-Russia citizens in the east, which makes the internal domestic dynamic a little strenuous to manage. It is very similar to Ukraine in that regard.
White House – President Joseph R. Biden Jr. met today with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Warsaw. President Biden reaffirmed strong U.S. support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He highlighted ongoing US assistance to help Moldova strengthen its political and economic resilience, including its democratic reform agenda and energy security, and to address the effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine. (link)