Ever since Igor Dodon won on the presidential election in Moldova in November 2016, on an overtly pro-Russian ticket, critics say he has confirmed suspicions that both he and his former party, the Socialist Party of Moldova, PSRM, are little more than tools in the hands of Russian decision-makers.

Of the 37 foreign visits Dodon has made in those last two-and-a-half years, no less than 18 have been to Russia.

Dodon has defended the frequency of these visits to Moscow, saying they bring real benefits for Moldova.

But some experts dispute these claims, saying that Dodon has mainly used the visits to strengthen his own image in Moscow, and to show his willingness to carry out Moscow’s directives.