Russia's Gas Cutoff Stokes Tensions in Moldova

When Russian natural gas stopped flowing westward across Ukraine on January 1, it was the end of an era. It was also a blow to Moscow, underscoring how President Vladimir Putin’s decision to wage all-out war against Russia's neighbor has undermined its ability to use energy supplies as a lever of influence across much of Europe. But not in Moldova. Russia is seeking to use the cutoff, analysts and officials say, as a part of a concerted effort to weaken the pro-Western government in the small nation, which is sandwiched between Ukraine and…