Putin’s 50th birthday celebration at Moldova’s Cricova Winery, located near the capital Chișinău, included a gift of wines from Moldova’s former president. These wines, part of a tradition of honoring famous visitors with exhibits and photos, were displayed alongside notable figures like Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Angela Merkel. However, the relationship between Moldova and Russia has since soured, prompting a significant change in the winery’s display.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, questions arose about Putin’s continued presence in the exhibition. Cricova’s director, Sorin Maslo, revealed that the wines and related memorabilia were moved to a sealed-off area, effectively banishing Putin from public view. This symbolic removal reflects not just international sentiment but also Moldova’s growing estrangement from its historical ties to Moscow.
The winery’s display still includes controversial figures such as Hermann Goering, highlighting the severity of Putin’s current reputation. The decision to exclude him underscores the deepening rift between Moldova and Russia, once close trading partners. In 2013, Russia imposed an embargo on Moldovan wine as Moldova expressed interest in joining the European Union, further straining relations.
Tensions escalated when Kremlin officials threatened Moldova over its breakaway Transnistria region, controlled by Russian-backed separatists. In a significant shift, Moldovan voters recently approved constitutional changes to align the country more closely with the EU and move out of Moscow’s influence. These developments mark a clear break from Moldova’s historical dependency on Russia.
The removal of Putin’s wines from Cricova is a potent symbolic gesture of Moldova’s new political trajectory. As the country’s second-largest wine cellar, Cricova represents both cultural heritage and economic importance, with its vast underground labyrinth used for wine storage. By distancing itself from Russia’s influence, Moldova is asserting its independence and commitment to a European future.