Kremlin explained why it dismissed Serghei Shoigu from the position of Minister of Defense. ISW: "Reshuffles - a sign of preparation for a prolonged war"

Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced Sergei Shoigu with Andrei Belousov as Russian Minister of Defense on May 12, moving Shoigu to the position of Security Council Secretary in place of Nikolai Patrushev. These high-level reshuffles following the Russian presidential election strongly suggest that Putin is taking significant steps towards mobilizing the Russian economy and defense industrial base (DIB) to support a protracted war in Ukraine and possibly prepare for a future confrontation with NATO.

Putin replaces Russia’s defense minister with a civilian

Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced his defense minister and close ally Sergei Shoigu with a civilian economist, a major reshuffle of military leadership more than two-years after Moscow’s grinding war against Ukraine has sent defense spending soaring, CNN reports.

President Sandu's Call for Peace: Easter of the Ancestors Message

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, has issued a formal message for Orthodox Christians observing the Easter of the Ancestors, emphasising prayers for peace.

Lithuania defends banning Russian and Belarusian observers from monitoring its presidential election

Lithuania defended Wednesday the decision not to allow Russian and Belarusian observers to monitor its upcoming presidential election, accusing both countries of spearheading campaigns that “pose a threat to our national security”, AP reports.

Ukraine Mobilises Prisoners for War

The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) passed a bill on May 8, in its second reading, allowing the mobilisation of prisoners convicted of minor crimes into the military.

Moldova Media: Fact Check - Fake News on Licences

The Moldovan government refutes claims that eight media outlets, including GRT, the public television station in Gagauzia, are on the verge of losing their broadcasting licences.

France: The pension reform law has passed the constitutionality test and can be promulgated. Police increase security in Paris

France's Constitutional Council has approved an increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64 proposed by President Macron, rejecting a call for a referendum, the BBC reports, quoted by Digi24. At the same time, the Constitutional Council said some articles of the controversial reform have legal flaws.

Dorin Recean, after the meeting of the Committee on European Integration: "We are speeding up the process of building Europe at home"

Members of the Governmental Commission for European Integration met today for the first meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dorin Recean. According to the Government, two topics were on the agenda of the meeting: the examination of our country's contribution to the European Commission's annual enlargement package and the granting of the bonus for performing priority tasks in the context of implementing the EU accession requirements.

Chisinau: Public transport will operate under special regime for Easter holidays

Attention travellers! The Regia Transport Electric Chișinău (RTEC) announces that several trolleybus and bus routes will operate in special mode during the Easter holidays.

Bomb alerts in 15 educational institutions in the Transnistrian region. Students and staff - evacuated

Several educational institutions on the left bank of the Dniester have been notified this morning that they are mined. Preliminary information shows that at 11:00 a.m. a message arrived on the e-mail addresses of 15 schools and colleges indicating that there are several explosive devices in their buildings.

Igor Grosu, after the sentencing of Șor to 15 years in prison: "Justice is done!"

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu welcomes the decision of the Chisinau Court of Appeal to send fugitive MP Ilan Șor behind bars and order the confiscation of his assets for the benefit of the state. The most important task now falls to the authorities, he says, who must make "every effort" to bring Șor to Moldova.

Nicu Popescu, meeting Mircea Geoană: "Neutrality of the Republic of Moldova does not mean isolation"

The Republic of Moldova wants to become a factor of stability in the region, but neutrality does not mean isolation, says Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu. During a meeting in Bucharest with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, the head of diplomacy in Chisinau said that this objective could be achieved thanks to investments in security and defence.