What Russia's border moves signalled on 27 May 2024

What was happening on Europe's eastern edge in the days before 27 May 2024? A run of reports pointed to friction along Russia's borders with NATO and EU members, alongside moves by Moldova to deepen its ties with Brussels.

On 22 May 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defence proposed unilaterally adjusting Russia's maritime border in the Baltic Sea. Baltic members of NATO, including Finland and Lithuania, voiced concern. The ministry later retracted the proposal.

On 23 May 2024, Russia removed the markers signalling the border with Estonia on the Narva River. The European Union protested.

Moldova and the EU

On 21 May 2024, Moldova became the first non-EU country to sign a security and defence pact with the EU. The agreement was to bring assistance in strengthening and managing Moldova's borders, and to facilitate cooperation on cybersecurity and on combating disinformation.

A treason sentence in Saint Petersburg

Also on 21 May 2024, a court in Saint Petersburg sentenced Anatoly Maslov, a 77-year-old expert on hypersonic missiles, to 14 years in prison for state treason.

Taken together, the reports from those days showed border questions in the Baltic region drawing protests and expressions of concern from the EU and from NATO members, while Moldova formalised a new security arrangement with the EU.