Why Moldova’s Gagauzia matters to Russia and Turkey

Tensions are growing between Russia and Turkey over an autonomous region of Moldova.
Gagauzia was once part of the Soviet Union and Russia maintains a strong influence.
The people of Gagauzia are ethnically Turkic and their language is also closer to Turkish than any other in the region but they are also mainly Orthodox Christians and strongly pro-Russia.
But Turkey also wants to exert its influence and has been helping to finance development projects.

While Turkey and Russia continue to vie for influence in the Caucasus and the Middle East - Gagauzia's governor says cooperation there, between Moscow, Ankara and the European Union, could offer another way of conducting diplomacy in the region.

Al Jazeera’s Sonia Gallego went to Moldova’s autonomous region of Gagauzia to meet people caught in the middle of this regional tug of war.

#Moldova #Gagauzia #AljazeeraEnglish

[omerakpnar]

To see Gagauzia in an international tv like Al Jazeera is very nice. Gagauzia deserves more attention to understand the country is Moldova. Moldova is one of the country has multi and rich culture. As a Turk I love Gagauzia.

[foxymoon]

Ironically Russia's closest allies, most of the time, consist of Turkic countries.

[nurlanaahmedova]

Gagauz are the brothers of Azerbaijanis🇦🇿🤝💐🐺💙

[_Redronin_]

It doesn't matter what religion they believe in. Turkey should support our Turkic brothers in other countries.

[Alvaro_Litti]

Bless Gagauzia!! I would also wish for more recognition of Finno-ugric peoples living in Russia, before they go totally extinct.

[mbugrahankilic]

Turkiye always with you out brothers Gagauzian Turks.... Selam from Istanbul :)

[sara_s_]

The Gagauz are one of many Christian Turks. There are millions of Christian Turks in Russia and China.

[asarono]

For Turkey, "Blood is Thicker than Water"

[yaistiklalyaolum]

"Religion is Choice, Turkishness is Destiny." Ahmet Yesevi

[kayacenk]

maybe u guys thinking for Turkish people religion more importand.. bcuz western media saying that. but if u ask to Turkish people for us being Turkish more imprtand than religions. Gagauzia people speak Turkish like and have same culture. they more imprtand than religions.

[burygz]

Gagauz is like a Balkan dialect of Turkish

[bdunlevy]

Sabaaniz hayir olsun! Gagauz is different then roman and arabic!

[nkeinn]

Elbet bir gün, Turan birliği resmen kurulsun dünyadaki tüm türk halklarına ulaşacağız...

[pault]

I’m a gagauzian and my parents moved from Komrat, the capital of Gagauzia, I can say that we definitely don’t want to go to Romania and are more inclined for independence. The reason why there is a Turkish cultured people in Moldavia is because they were being persecuted for being Christian at that time and fled Muslim Turkey. That’s just some history from a real gagauzian

[abhilashpaul]

My greetings to my Christian brothers and sisters in Moldova 💕.

[Abraham_Tsfaye]

Turkey this and Turkey that.
Why would Turkey care about a region in Moldova???

[alexandersohn]

So the Governer of the Gagauzia is a lady called Irina Vlah, that s the most Romanian name i've heard

[ottomanosman]

You know what? We really love Turkic people, but religious barrier is a problem. Historically, the Turks who are Christians tend to support Russia against us. Meanwhile when we think about Turkic unity, we don't see it beyond Islamic belief, this alienates Christian Turks, too. Gagauzians are Turk people, but they are Christians, so technically, to be honest, most of us don't trust them.

I have met Russians of Turk origin (Chuvash) back in England. They state that they are aware of their Turk root but they always state Russia as homeland, Chuvash are majority Christians. I don't think we need to wonder why.

[Morukinho]

We as Turks from Türkiye don‘t care about the religion of Gagauz people. You matter to us! Keep your language alive and don‘t get assimilated! Language means identity! Keep that in mind.

[vasilenegru]

Yes yes, they care about gagauzian culture and language, this is why they speak Russian and Pro Russian party gives them 20$ per vote.
Gagauziand should learn the official language of Moldova, Romanian language, while preserving gagauzian culture!