Gagauzia’s governor Yevgeniya Gutsul posted on social media a photo with Russian president Vladimir Putin, taken on the sidelines of a youth festival in Sochi.

Commenting below the photo, Gutsul said she discussed with Putin about “complex regional and geopolitical issues, the epicenter of which is Gagauzia”.

“I informed Vladimir Vladimirovich about the wrongdoings of the Moldovan authorities, who are taking revenge on us for our citizen position and allegiance to national interests. Chisinau gradually takes away our powers, limits the budget, violates our legitimate rights, causes volatility and destabilization in Gagauzia and throughout the country. The Russian leader promised to support Gagauzia and the Gagauz people in defending our rights”, declared Gutsul.

Reacting to the photo, MP Radu Marian (PAS) said the stunt goes to show yet again that “in Moldova, Putin’s criminal regime supports the main criminal group, the one led by Shor, who stole the billion”. “Putin would like our country to be run by thieves. The Moldovans will not allow this", the parliamentarian said.

A political novice, Yevgeniya Gutsul won her gubernatorial seat in May with the endorsement of the convicted fugitive banker-turned-politician Ilan Shor and his eponymous party, which was later declared unconstitutional. The election campaign took place amid a string of searches and criminal proceedings on suspicions of illegal party financing and vote buying.