Moldova readies for two crucial votes as war rages in neighboring Ukraine

Moldova is set to hold a presidential election and a referendum on European Union (EU) accession on Sunday. The presidential election will determine whether pro-western candidate Maia Sandu secures a second term, while the referendum will ask voters whether to enshrine EU accession as a strategic objective in the constitution. The country has historically balanced between pro-western and pro-Russian leanings, with Russia allegedly attempting to influence voters to reject the EU. The referendum will require a "yes" vote to rewrite the constitution and solidify EU accession as an "irreversible" goal.