Lithuania has imposed sanctions against a pro-Russian Moldovan politician.
On September 16, Lithuania banned Irina Vlah, a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, from entering its territory for five years. Irina Vlah is the chairwoman of the Moldova Platform (a political party) and was previously the bashkan (head) of Gagauzia, a region in Moldova.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Vlah regularly visits Russia and meets with officials from the aggressor country to coordinate actions that interfere with Moldova’s internal affairs, including the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The Canadian government also imposed sanctions on Vlah on August 28, 2021. After that, Moldova’s Interdepartmental Supervisory Council imposed restrictive measures on I. Vlach, and the State Tax Service froze her funds and other assets.
Vlah often visited Russia during her leadership of Gagauzia. This region collaborated with St. Petersburg, and the Russian city provided Gagauzia with various kinds of assistance, including municipal equipment.
