Moldova's Southern Border

by bill - 2024-04-18 ( education / history / geography / eastern-europe ) [html version]

I wondered why Moldova's southern border -- clearly intentionally not letting it reach the Black Sea -- was drawn that way. After rephrasing my question in different ways, filtering out the pro-NATO b.s., this is what Bing Co-Pilot finally came up with:

Copilot

Certainly! Let's explore the historical and geopolitical context behind Moldova's southern border:

1. Ancient Inhabitants:

• Moldova's territory was inhabited by ancient Dacians, and Moldovans identify themselves with their ancestors.

• During classical antiquity, Carpian tribes also inhabited Moldova's land³.

2. Roman and Byzantine Influence:

• Between the 1st and 7th centuries AD, the southern part of Moldova intermittently came under the control of the Roman and later the Byzantine Empires.

• Due to its strategic location on a route between Asia and Europe, Moldova faced invasions by various groups, including the Goths, Huns, Avars, Magyars, Pechenegs, Cumans, and Mongols¹.

3. Russian Annexation of Bessarabia:

• In 1812, following one of several Russian–Turkish wars, the eastern half of Moldova, known as Bessarabia, was annexed by the Russian Empire.

• The Treaty of Adrianople in 1829 pushed Russia's frontier south to include the Danube delta, further altering Moldova's southern border².

4. Moldavian Democratic Republic and Union with Romania:

• In 1918, Bessarabia briefly became independent as the Moldavian Democratic Republic.

• Following the decision of the Parliament (Sfatul Țării), it united with Romania.

• However, during World War II, Bessarabia was occupied by the Soviet Union, which reclaimed it from Romania¹.

5. Post-Soviet Independence:

• In 1991, after the dissolution of the USSR, Moldova declared independence as the Republic of Moldova.

• Despite its lack of direct access to the Black Sea, Moldova maintains connections through its river basins and geopolitical ties¹.

In summary, Moldova's southern border has evolved over centuries due to historical events, territorial shifts, and geopolitical influences. Its current configuration reflects a complex interplay of factors that have shaped its identity and position in Eastern Europe^{1 2}.

Source(s)

1. Moldova - Wikipedia

2. History of Moldova - Wikipedia

3. History of Moldova Facts, Flag, & Map Britannica

4. Moldova | History, Population, Map, Flag, Capital, & Facts