Moldova is struggling with its identity – caught between Europe and its Soviet past, and undermined by its Russian cousin,
Transnistria is universally recognized as part of Moldova, but is de facto a functioning independent state.
The Eurasian Economic Union was created by Putin in 2015 – inspired by the EU, and built to rival it.
The banner of the Soviet Union waved proudly over the cities of Central Asia only 33 years ago.