Peace cannot survive without information integrity, and democracies cannot endure without those who protect it — journalists, citizens, and leaders alike. President Maia Sandu made this statement in her address at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum. The head of state reaffirmed Moldova’s position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, highlighted the Kremlin’s instruments of fear targeting Moldovans, and explained how the authorities are defending democratic processes.
“We have worked to build a media environment where facts matter, where journalists can work without fear, and where citizens can trust the information they receive. Last year, Reporters Without Borders ranked Moldova 31st in the world for press freedom — an improvement of more than 50 places since we began this transformation five years ago. This progress is not just about freedom, but about power and national security.
When Russia’s malign influence intensified, our independent, resilient media became the first line of defense. During the recent elections, investigative journalists uncovered troll farms, exposed cryptocurrency-funded disinformation networks and vote-buying schemes, and revealed how Russia sought to purchase influence through dirty money and lies,” Sandu stated.
She also noted that the digital space remains largely unregulated, emphasizing that platforms once viewed as tools of transparency have turned into arenas of manipulation.
“Authoritarian regimes that suppress free speech at home now use the same platforms to undermine democracies abroad. During Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary elections, Russia-linked networks flooded Telegram, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram with fabricated news, deepfakes, and coordinated propaganda. Troll farms operating in Moldova generated tens of millions of views. A political party with almost no grassroots presence was suddenly propelled into Parliament through a campaign run almost entirely on TikTok,” the president said — likely referring to the Democracy at Home Party led by Vasile Costiuc.
“Moldova’s experience shows that we must act together to restore information integrity. What is illegal offline must also be illegal online. Platforms must provide real access to data, disclose who pays for amplification, and be subject to independent audits of political advertising and content moderation.
We must follow the money — it is not easy, but it is essential. No platform should accept political or advertising payments from sanctioned individuals or entities. Freedom of expression is for real people, not armies of bots. Europe’s democratic shield must include concrete tools to protect public debate from manipulation and illicit influence, because defending democracy cannot wait for the next crisis. To defend democracy, Europe must act as one — great, strong, and united — to withstand hostile powers seeking to divide us. Peace cannot survive without information integrity, and democracies cannot survive without those who protect it,” Sandu concluded.
The Moldovan president also expressed gratitude to France for its leadership and continued support in helping Moldova resist Russian hybrid attacks and advance toward EU membership.
The Paris Peace Forum, now in its eighth edition, was launched in 2018 at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron. Each year, it brings together world leaders and experts to discuss solutions to global challenges — from peace and security to sustainable development and democratic governance.