Moldova's Cricova Winery has partially erased Vladimir Putin's presence from its underground tunnels, reflecting increased tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
**Putin's Wine Bottles Hidden Away in Moldova's Cellars Amid Repercussions of War**
**Putin's Wine Bottles Hidden Away in Moldova's Cellars Amid Repercussions of War**
As Moldova distances itself from Russia, the symbolic removal of Putin's gifts reflects a shifting geopolitical landscape.
In a surprising act of diplomatic signalization, the Cricova Winery in Moldova has taken steps to obscure the wine collection belonging to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin. Once celebrated within the depths of its expansive cellars, the bottles he received as gifts from Moldova’s former president have been removed from public view following the onset of conflict in Ukraine.
Historically, the winery has been a venue for distinguished visitors, including world leaders. Notably, bottles once gifted to figures like U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry still remain on display, their value recognized even if they were never taken home. However, since Putin's aggressive military actions began in 2022, questions from patrons became impossible to ignore.
Sorin Maslo, the director of Cricova, indicated that the decision to relocate Putin's wine collection was a necessary measure. “After the invasion, we received so many inquiries about why his items were still on display," he explained. Responding to this outcry, the winery opted to move Putin's bottles to a dimly lit, sealed-off area of the complex, creating a conspicuous absence of his memorabilia that once attracted attention.
Though Putin's wine has not been destroyed, the action mirrors a larger trend in Moldovan politics and European attitudes towards Russia in the wake of the ongoing conflict. The move to distance Moldova from its historical ties to Putin showcases a shift in sentiment within the region and a collective stand against aggression, reinforcing Moldova's commitment to alignment with international norms and distancing from its Soviet legacy.
Historically, the winery has been a venue for distinguished visitors, including world leaders. Notably, bottles once gifted to figures like U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry still remain on display, their value recognized even if they were never taken home. However, since Putin's aggressive military actions began in 2022, questions from patrons became impossible to ignore.
Sorin Maslo, the director of Cricova, indicated that the decision to relocate Putin's wine collection was a necessary measure. “After the invasion, we received so many inquiries about why his items were still on display," he explained. Responding to this outcry, the winery opted to move Putin's bottles to a dimly lit, sealed-off area of the complex, creating a conspicuous absence of his memorabilia that once attracted attention.
Though Putin's wine has not been destroyed, the action mirrors a larger trend in Moldovan politics and European attitudes towards Russia in the wake of the ongoing conflict. The move to distance Moldova from its historical ties to Putin showcases a shift in sentiment within the region and a collective stand against aggression, reinforcing Moldova's commitment to alignment with international norms and distancing from its Soviet legacy.
