Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles across Russia's former empire. We're seeing seismic change in Belarus people Power is challenging a dictator who is being propped up by Moscow to the south. Armenia and Azerbaijan have bean a war. Add to that a revolution in Kyrgyzstan. Onda new pro Europe president in Moldova on the result is one huge headache for the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin still sees much of this part of the world as Moscow's patch its zone of influence. But is that influence ebbing away well here in the South Caucasus, where Russia has bean the major power for 200 years? Today it has competition from Turkey in the war over the gonna Cara back. It was Turkish support that helped Azerbaijan defeat Russia's traditional ally in the region, Armenia. I think that what happened in Karbala is truly a geopolitical catastrophe for Moscow's influence, not Onley in South caucuses, but across what remains off the post Soviet space. Moscow's grip on the region is becoming weaker and weaker way talked to the Russian peacekeepers here. They seem wary of Turkey's intentions. Traditionally, Russia has guaranteed stability here, the peacekeeper says, while other countries I mean Turkey trying to destabilize the situation, we try to improve things. Russia wants to be seen as the key player in what it views as its own backyard. And having the Russian military here helps do that. But in this former part of its empire, Moscow has arrival. Now, as Turkey seeks to boost its influence in this region and for Moscow, the geopolitical challenges extend far beyond these hills. Yeah, in Moldova, a pro Western politician, Maya Sandu, has won the presidency, defeating the pro Russia candidate. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, but the Kremlin still wants it in Russia's orbit, its Soviet past. But close proximity to Romania make it an almost inevitable stage. The East West rivalry. Recently, Russia accused America of plotting a revolution here. Objective is to get closer to you on, hopefully one day to become a member of the European Union. But when Russia let that happen, when Russia let your country join the it's our it's our choice. In the end, it's the it's the sovereign decision off our country is the decision of the Republic of Moldova. Moscow still has ways of exerting influence of slowing down change in some parts of the old USSR, And yet Russia to is changing. It's having to. It's on a journey from empire to nation state. For a country with a superpower past, that is a painful transition.
B2 russia moscow influence turkey empire armenia Is Putin’s power ebbing away in Russia’s own back yard? - BBC News 2 0 林宜悉 posted on 2020/12/04 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary