The Republic of Moldova has declared its readiness to help European countries holding elections counter disinformation and destabilization campaigns attributed to the Kremlin, writes Politico, cited by Antena 3 CNN.
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, stated that the country’s accession to the European Union is not only a security guarantee for Chisinau, but also an advantage for the entire European bloc.
“Moldova’s accession is often described as a security guarantee for our country. And it truly is. But it is equally a strategic investment in Europe’s own security,” she said.
In turn, national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru emphasized that Moldova brings direct experience in countering hybrid threats.
“We come with something unique. We have hard-earned knowledge and solutions tested directly on the ground to deal with Russian hybrid threats,” he stated.
Authorities in Chisinau accuse Russia of interfering in electoral processes in recent years, including through vote-buying, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns. Moscow has denied these accusations.
“Elections are the easiest gateway for Russia,” said Olga Rosca, foreign policy adviser to President Maia Sandu.
According to authorities, Moldova has also dismantled a cross-border network that allegedly trained young people in camps in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia for destabilization actions in European countries. Participants reportedly trained to operate drones, use incendiary devices, and evade law enforcement during protests.
Officials say Moldova has already shared its experience with EU member states preparing for elections, including Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland. French authorities have already warned about potential Russian interference.
President Maia Sandu continues to promote Moldova’s EU accession, stressing that integration is essential for regional security.
“A Europe that takes its own security seriously must treat its eastern neighborhood with the same seriousness. It cannot support Ukraine with one hand while leaving democratic nations in gray zones with the other,” she said in a speech delivered in the Latvian Parliament.