The underlying cause of the protest came from Moscow's long-term policy of prioritising Kaliningrad's integration with Russia while attaching secondary importance to the region's development. The policy of centralisation (which has been adversely affecting the region), as well as the changes to the functioning of the Special Economic Zone (which have harmed the interests of the local elite) have caused particular discontent.
Since the formation of a new pro-European government in Chisinau, which is favourably disposed towards Romania, Bucharest has made Moldova the priority of its foreign policy and adopted a more tangible agenda with regard to it.
