Moldova is an Eastern European country, situated between Romania and Ukraine. The bulk of it, between the rivers Dniester and Prut, is made up of an area formerly known as Bessarabia. Moldova came under control of Romania in 1918, but was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. It gained independence in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR. The industrialized territory to the east of the Dniester, known as Trans-Dniester, is mainly inhabited by Russian and Ukrainian speakers. The area unilaterally declared independence from Moldova in 1990, but has never been recognized. There was fierce fighting there as it tried to assert this independence, which led to the intervention of the Russian 14th Army. In 1992, the Moldovan government negotiated a cease-fire arrangement with Russian and Trans-Dniester officials, but tensions continue and negotiations are ongoing. Moldova is a small, landlocked and densely populated country that is one of the poorest in Europe. It has few natural resources, and is heavily dependent on Russia for energy supplies.