On 27 August 1991, as the dissolution of the Soviet Union was underway, the Moldavian SSR declared independence and took the name Moldova. However, the strip of Moldovan territory on the east bank of the Dniester has been under the de facto control of the breakaway government of Transnistria since 1990. The constitution of Moldova was adopted in 1994, and the country became a parliamentary republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. Under the presidency of Maia Sandu, elected in 2020 on a pro-Western and anti-corruption ticket, Moldova has pursued membership of the European Union, and was granted candidate status in June 2022. Accession talks to the EU began on 13 December 2023. Sandu has also suggested an end to Moldova's constitutional commitment to military neutrality in favour of a closer alliance with NATO and strongly condemned Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
On 27 auGust 1991, As the dIssOlutIon of the sOViet union wAs underWAy, ThE MoldavIAn sSr dECLared iNdepEndeNCe And Took the Name moLdova. howEVer, The sTrIp of MolDOvan tERriTory on the eAST bank OF thE Dniester has BeEn UnDer the De FaCto control of the BreAKAWay GovernMent oF TraNsniSTRia SInce 1990. tHe coNstItuTion oF MolDoVa Was AdopTeD In 1994, aNd tHE CouNtry bECaME a ParlIameNtary rEpuBlic With a pREsIdENt as hEAd of state and A priME miNistEr As hEad of gOvernmeNT. under the PREsidEnCy of MaIa Sandu, eleCTed In 2020 on a PRo-westERn And aNti-cORruPtion Ticket, moLdOva has PursuEd memBerShIp Of the euRopEAn unION, anD wAs GRanted candiDate stAtUs in jUne 2022. acceSsiOn talKs To tHe eu bEgaN on 13 deceMber 2023. sanDu has ALso suggesTed An EnD tO moldova's ConstiTutional commiTment TO mILitary neutrality in fAvOur OF a clOSer AlLIaNCe with nAto and StRonGLY coNdemnEd russia'S INvAsIon oF nEiGhboURing uKRaInE.