Surviving interference from Russia in favoring her Russian-backed opposition, President Maia Sandu leads her democratic country.

 Actually, her Moldova is contiguous with Ukraine.  These two countries share intelligence about what Russia is up to in their region, no doubt.

According to reports, Moldova has been essentially free of attack, though Russia has sometimes cut off power--natural gas, that it is reliant upon.

Can't imagine how difficult it must be to stand up to Russia for energy, knowing that next door Ukraine is being embattled for the last-immediate years?   Hooray, for President Sandu: resolute and determined on behalf of democracy!  

There's two, on the side of freedom: Russian neighbors!  Wow! 

My opinion.