Is America Following Stalin’s Post-WWII Salami Tactics?

Moldova’s path to European Union (EU) membership could dramatically alter the dynamics of the conflict in Ukraine. The strengthening Western influence in Eastern Europe and increasing pressure on Russia’s geopolitical ambitions draws a comparison between the Western support for Eastern Europe today and the Soviet Sphere of influence that existed under Stalin’s regime Post World War II. At the heart of the debate lies the question: How far is America’s role in Eastern Europe today like Stalin’s efforts of establishing a Soviet- Sphere of influence in the 1940’s?

After World War II, Stalin through his salami (bit by bit) tactics occupied Eastern Europe in the hope to create a Soviet Sphere of influence. He forcefully installed Communist regimes in Eastern Europe to create a buffer zone of the Soviet-controlled states. The occupation of Eastern European nations, such as Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, was framed under the guise of safeguarding them from Nazi resurgence, but it had the ultimate goal of transforming them into satellite states of the Soviet Union. Stalin’s political manoeuvring and military pressure led to the installation of totalitarian regimes loyal to Moscow, solidifying Soviet control across much of Eastern Europe by the late 1940s.

However, in contrast to Stalin’s tactics, Moldova, a country that Shares 1,200 kilometres with Ukraine is actively seeking EU membership with a hope to create democratic reforms and economic stability.

Moldova holds strategic importance within this region. As a part of the former Soviet republic and one of Europe’s poorest nations, Moldova has faced its own challenges under Russian influence, particularly in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova’s membership into the EU would thus likely lead to an increased Western presence within the region, enhancing both its security and its alignment with Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression. Since its independence in 1991, Moldova has struggled with Russian influence, particularly in the breakaway region of Transnistria, where pro-Russian forces maintain control.

If Moldova becomes a part of the EU, it will potentially serve as a logistical and strategic support point for Ukraine. It would gain access to significant economic and military support which would possibly allow Moldova to facilitate supply lines and humanitarian aid into Ukraine. This could increase Ukraine’s resilience, particularly in the Odessa region, which has close access to the Black Sea.

Additionally, the EU and NATO support within Moldova could help fortify its borders against the potential Russian incursions or Russia’s destabilisation efforts, limiting Russia’s ability to use Moldova as a foothold to launch operations. Moldova’s entry into the EU would not automatically extend NATO’s Article 5 protection but could open doors for enhanced security partnerships and sharing intelligence that could significantly control Russian actions in both Moldova and Ukraine. The EU is working to create a region of self-sustaining, democratic states that can work collaboratively to address common challenges. This model relies on voluntary partnerships and shared governance rather than enforced ideology or military occupation.

Many feel that America’s role reflects a response to security challenges rather than an expansionist agenda. “What the West is doing is fundamentally about supporting sovereignty and self-determination,” said a senior analyst at the Atlantic Council. “The U.S. and EU are investing in resilience and not occupation.”

Russia has expressed its concerns that Moldova’s EU alignment undermines its regional influence. Moscow views the Western support to Moldova as a part of a broader effort to contain Russia’s power near its borders. Kremlin officials see this move as an encroachment into a sphere where Russia has historically held control. While Russia often employs tactics like cyber operations, misinformation and political pressure in Eastern Europe, Western support for Moldova emphasises transparency and democratic governance.

For Moldova, EU membership offers a chance to escape the economic and political challenges that have hampered its development since Soviet times. For the EU, integrating Moldova represents a commitment to fostering a stable, democratic region. For the U.S., a Europe fortified by economic and political resilience in Eastern Europe stands as a counterweight to Russia’s regional influence.

As Moldova advances toward its membership to the EU, the differences between Stalin-era expansion and today’s Western support highlight a fundamental change in approach. This membership could help consolidate the EU’s eastern border, establishing a fortified boundary against potential Russian aggression. As Moldova’s membership gains traction, it could become a pivotal player in shaping a new European order, one in which the EU’s influence stretches to the edges of the post-Soviet space, recreating the balance of power and underscoring the importance of a united Europe in the face of aggression.

As Moldova’s membership gains traction, it could become a pivotal player in shaping a new European order, one in which the EU’s influence stretches to the edges of the post-Soviet space, recalibrating the balance of power and underscoring the importance of a united Europe in the face of aggression.

(The author is an educationalist. Views personal.)