Romania Bans Chisinau Mayor, Two Moldovans from Schengen Over Security

Romania has imposed a five-year ban on Ion Ceban, the mayor of Chisinau, Moldova's capital, from entering its territory and the entire Schengen Area, citing national security concerns. The ban, announced by Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also applies to two other Moldovan citizens but the specific reasons remain undisclosed. Ion Ceban, initially affiliated with pro-Russian parties, has shifted politically over time but remains a rival to Moldova's pro-EU President Maia Sandu, who aims to lead the country into the European Union by 2030. Romanian authorities and internal sources indicate the ban might be part of a broader European-level decision, underscoring the tense geopolitical dynamics in the region, where Moldova is a focal point of East-West influence struggles. Ceban has condemned the ban as politically motivated, alleging it is orchestrated by Sandu and her party to weaken his political standing ahead of elections. This development highlights the fraught political landscape in Moldova and the influence of broader regional security concerns involving Russia and Western interests.