The U.S. National Security Council has accused Russia of actively working to interfere in Moldova’s upcoming presidential election and its path toward European Union membership. In a statement yesterday, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, revealed that Russia has allocated substantial financial resources to influence Moldova’s political landscape.
“Russia is working actively to undermine Moldova’s election and its European integration,” Kirby stated. “In the last several months, Moscow has dedicated millions of dollars to influencing Moldova’s presidential election. We assess that this money has gone toward financing its preferred parties and spreading disinformation on social media to favor their campaigns.”
According to the U.S. government, Russia’s interference efforts include significant funding for pro-Russian political parties in Moldova. The Russian state has authorized spending to influence the election, with funds channeled into various campaigns aligned with Moscow’s interests. One prominent actor in these efforts is Ilan Shor, a Moldovan politician and known Russian influence operator, who has reportedly invested tens of millions of dollars each month into nonprofit organizations promoting pro-Russia narratives.
“These nonprofits have promoted pro-Russia content on traditional media, local websites, and social media applications,” Kirby added, underscoring the wide-reaching impact of these influence operations.
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Despite these efforts, Kirby expressed confidence in Moldova’s resilience, stating that the U.S. government has worked closely with Moldovan authorities to expose and counter these threats. “We continue to have full confidence in Moldova’s ability to manage these foreign influence threats,” he said. “For months, the U.S. government, the Moldovan government, the Moldovan security services, and other allies have warned that Russia is seeking to undermine Moldovan democratic institutions in the lead-up to the presidential election and referendum on Moldova’s EU membership.”
The U.S. and Moldova have been working in tandem to expose and sanction individuals and organizations involved in Russian influence operations. Kirby reiterated the United States’ ongoing support for Moldova and its democratic processes, pledging to continue efforts to safeguard the country from foreign interference.
As Moldova approaches a critical juncture with the presidential election and a referendum on EU membership, the stakes remain high. The outcome could shape the country’s geopolitical future, with potential implications for its relationship with Russia and the European Union.