Moldova makes a challenging move toward EU membership.

But Maia Sandu has a high standing among EU leaders, not least for her fluency in English and French. She travels to EU summits in economy class and dresses in jeans and trainers.
You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who does not believe their move towards the EU is linked to the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Moldova, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Ripostes from its sizable diaspora spread throughout the EU are its main source of income, and it suffers from corruption.