West watches for Putin's next move after breakaway region asks Moscow to ‘protect' it from Moldova

Speculation is growing that the Russian president will announce the deployment of troops to protect the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova during his annual address to lawmakers. The separatist authorities of Transnistria recently requested protection from Russia against the pro-Western government in Moldova. The potential move, if announced, could raise concerns about Russia’s territorial ambitions in Europe. Transnistria, an internationally recognized part of Moldova, has been controlled by Russia since 1992. The region is seen as a focal point for Putin’s political maneuvers to test the West’s resolve.