The pro-Russian leader of Moldova's largest opposition party has called for better relations with Russia and China and urged other groups to join forces in fielding a single challenger to pro-Western President Maia Sandu in the country's October election. Igor Dodon, leader of the leftist Socialist Party and a former president who was defeated by Sandu in 2020, said Moldova was ignoring its traditional allies -- Russia, China, and other countries -- and called on Chisinau to "return to a normal dialogue" with those partners. Sandu views Russia as one of the biggest threats facing Moldova and has led the effort to join the European Union. A referendum on EU membership will take place alongside the presidential election.
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