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Russia Continues Efforts to Regain Influence over Moldova | ISW Previous Next Russia Continues Efforts to Regain Influence over Moldova Executive Summary: The Kremlin is trying to influence the upcoming Moldovan parliamentary elections on September 28, 2025, as it tried with Moldova’s presidential election and referendum about EU integration in Fall 2024. These election influence campaigns are part of Moscow’s overall efforts to achieve its long-held strategic objective of preventing Moldova from integrating into the West. The Kremlin learns critical lessons each time it leverages election cycles to pursue this objective, and Moscow is adapting its previous efforts to influence Moldovan elections while also implementing tactics it has employed against Ukraine, Georgia, and Romania. The pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) currently holds the majority in the Moldovan Parliament, and the Kremlin is supporting various electoral blocs in order to deprive PAS of its majority. A Kremlin-friendly Moldovan Parliament would be able to undo many of the efforts Chisinau has successfully pursued in recent years on its path toward Western integration. The Kremlin may aim to use suc…

Five questions (and expert answers) about Moldova's elections Under “assault,” they’re still standing. On Sunday, Moldovans narrowly voted to enshrine the goal of joining the European Union (EU) in the country’s constitution. Meanwhile, Moldova’s pro-Western president, Maia Sandu, did not clear 50 percent of the vote and thus will compete in a runoff election on November 3. The pivotal elections were hit by an extensive influence operation from Russia, which Sandu on Sunday called an “unprecedented assault” on Moldova’s democracy. Below, our experts address five burning questions about how to interpret the results and what comes next. 1. What is the significance of the referendum vote? The Moldovan pro-EU referendum passed, amending the constitution and making EU accession a constitutional goal. However, it’s not an inspiring victory, as many wished. The narrow result is significant, but it doesn’t necessarily signal a decline in support for European integration. For more than fifteen years, polls have consistently shown a strong majority of Moldovans favor EU membership, making this narrow outcome unexpected. The result was shaped by several factors, including the pro-European go…

To protect Europe, the West should send arms to Moldova - Euronews By David Kirichenko, Freelance journalist, Editor at Euromaidan Press Published on 22/08/2023 - 12:41 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent in any way the editorial position of Euronews. The time has come to help Moldova rebuild its army and bring an end to Europe’s frozen conflicts, David Kirichenko writes. After more than three decades since the unresolved Transnistrian War left a latent conflict simmering within its borders, Moldova remains under the looming spectre of a renewed outbreak of hostilities, shaped by Russia's geopolitical manoeuvers. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Central to this volatile situation is the presence of Russian military forces in Transnistria and a persistently aggressive Moscow, which has often sought to undermine the Moldovan government, even resorting to coup attempts. The key to addressing Moldova's inherent vulnerability lies in a comprehensive response from the West. This response should focus o…

Political analyst says withdrawal of Russian troops, demilitarization ... Political analyst says withdrawal of Russian troops, demilitarization of Transnistrian region priorities for European path of Moldova The withdrawal of Russian troops and the demilitarization of the Transnistrian region are becoming essential elements for advancing the process of Moldova’s European integration. Political analyst Mihai Isac says that, without eliminating the consequences of the Russian military invasion of the 1990s, some member states of the European Union could express reservations about Moldova’s accession. Asked by MOLDPRES, the expert commented on the significance of the statements made by Vice-President Kaja Kallas regarding the need for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria. “These developments are turning the Transnistria file from an issue considered only a Moldovan one into an element of European and international security.” Mihai Isac: In essence, the initiative associated with Kaja Kallas’s name is not just a political phrase, but an attempt to set, within the logic of a possible peace agreement in Ukraine, the conditions that would reduce the risk of Russia keepi…

European leaders back Moldova in face of 'massive' pre-election ... The leaders of Germany , France and Poland have visited Moldova on its independence day and pledged to help the country resist alleged Russian attempts to destabilise it before potentially pivotal elections late next month. “No day passes in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in this country without massive hybrid attacks by Russia . And the target is Moldova’s democracy, both online and offline. The target is this free, democratic society,” German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday in Chisinau. Standing with French president Emmanuel Macron , Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and Moldovan president Maia Sandu, Mr Merz accused Russia of using disinformation, cyber attacks and other tools to boost pro-Kremlin politicians in a country that became independent after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. He said Moldova’s independence day “was not a day of celebration” for Russian president Vladimir Putin , recalling how the former KGB officer described the demise of the Soviet empire as the “greatest political catastrophe of the 20th century.” READ MORE Welcome to the new Global Briefing newsletter…

Moldova's European Defining Moment: Presidential Election and ... 16 October, 2024 SCEEUS Report No. 16, 2024 Moldova’s presidential election and the referendum on membership of the European Union (EU), which take place on 20 October 2024, constitute a defining moment for the country. Together with parliamentary elections in 2025, they will not only determine Moldova’s geopolitical alignment – whether it continues its pro-European path or makes a U-turn towards Russia – but could also shape the future of EU integration in the whole of Eastern Europe. Seen in the wider context of a possible victory by Georgian Dream in the Georgian parliamentary elections on 26 October and a perception that Ukraine might have to accept “negotiations” on limiting its sovereignty, a negative outcome for pro-European forces in Moldova would be a victory for the Kremlin’s ambitions and a serious blow to the vision of a “Europe whole, free and at peace”. Moldova is at the epicentre of Russia’s hybrid warfare, which acts in symbiosis with Russia’s aggressive warfare in Ukraine. Moscow’s objective in both cases is to topple pro-western governments and reverse the European integration in the wider regio…

Will Moldova Put its Head in the Tiger's Mouth? - CEPA Moldovans will decide on a president and their European future in elections on October 20. The stakes are very high. A referendum will ask citizens whether the country’s constitution should be amended to include its wish for EU membership. Although the question is straightforward and an emphatic “yes” vote would consolidate Moldova’s European trajectory, a “no” vote could threaten its very existence. It would most acutely reverberate throughout its energy sector, arguably Moldova’s most vulnerable spot, threatening its fragile security through an implicit acceptance of Russia’s destructive influence. A “no” vote would be understood as a victory for the Kremlin and a serious, perhaps fatal derailing of Moldova’s efforts to align with EU rules for transparency, diversification, competition, and accountability. These are vital in helping to clear the corruption, mismanagement, and fraud that infiltrated its electricity and natural gas sectors, threatening its existence as a country. Exactly three years ago, Moldova wasteeteringon the brink of collapse as Russialimitedgas supplies at the start of winter, aiming to intimidate …

Romania is preparing for the occupation of Transnistria — Chisinau is ... Русская версия Romania is preparing for the occupation of Transnistria — Chisinau is waiting for a signal June 25th, 2026 16:01 Russian peacekeeper, Transnistria on the map of Moldova. Collage: informator.ua The legal maneuver in Bucharest to unite with Moldova launched a process that directly threatens the existence of the Pridnestrovian Republic. Columnist Lyubov Stepushova tells about the situation. The lower house of the Romanian Parliament automatically approved the draft law on unification with Moldova. This is possible in Romania if the bill has not been put to the vote within 45 days after the publication of the bill. Now the draft is sent to the Senate, which is the decision-making body in this case. "The Romanian Parliament authorizes the government of the country to immediately, urgently, begin negotiations with the Chisinau authorities with a view to finalizing the unification with the Republic of Moldova," article 2 and 3 of the document say. The draft refers to the provision of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in Helsinki, which allows for the change of bord…

Moldova Embarks on Steep Path to EU Membership Insights Moldova Embarks on Steep Path to EU Membership by Laurențiu Pleșca 4 min read Share Foreign Policy Transatlantic Relations Black Sea Central and Eastern Europe European Union Massive financial and technical support is needed to accelerate reform and prevent backsliding during the long negotiation process. Print Article On the evening of December 14, a significant moment unfolded for the Republic of Moldova. Ukraine and Moldova formally began negotiations to join the European Union, marking a historic milestone. This event carries immense importance because it aligns with the current European Commission’s desire to leave a lasting legacy—something tangible and historically significant—before its mandate concludes in June 2024. This move is particularly crucial for Ukraine, a nation persistently fighting for its independence, and for Moldova, which is strongly impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The decision to open accession talks with Moldova and Ukraine hung in the balance until Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was convinced at the 11th hour to refrain from using his veto, thereby enabling Ukraine and Moldova t…

'We hope the member states will recognise our effort'… - inkl FRANCE 24’s Europe editor-in-chief Caroline de Camaret hosts Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova. This in the context of an EU-Moldova summit held on June 22, 2026, in Brussels. The ex-Soviet republic of nearly 3 million people that borders Ukraine has opened its first “cluster” of negotiations to join the European Union. But, as it moves closer to the bloc, Moldova is becoming an intense battleground between pro-EU and pro-Kremlin forces.This edition also features a report by FRANCE 24’s Isabelle Romero and Anaïs Chesnel, set in the inaugural conference on EU investment in Moldova. On the country’s pro-EU path, Sandu tells Caroline de Camaret that, “despite the massive interference of the Kremlin inMoldova'selections, Moldovans managed to decide for themselves and they chose the EU as their future, because the EU means peace. And since Russia's invasion inUkraine, we seeRussia's aggression better. We understand the risks that are coming from Moscow. And the EU is known as the most successful peace project. The EU would also allow us to consolidate as ademocracy, and it is very important for us to remain part of the f…

Moldova says Russia helped pro-Moscow MP flee long jail sentence Published byGlobal Banking & Finance Review Posted on March 31, 2025 · Last updated: March 31, 2025 By Alexander Tanas CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova expelled three Russian diplomats on Monday after it accused Russia's embassy of engineering the escape of a pro-Kremlin lawmaker to prevent him being jailed over illegal political funding. The case of Alexander Nesterovschii, who could not be reached for comment, is the latest in which Moldova's pro-European government has accused Russia of meddling in its domestic politics. Moscow denies the accusation. "Interference by the Russian Federation with the judicial system of the Republic of Moldova is unacceptable. Imagine that the Republic of Moldova interfered with justice in the Russian Federation," President Maia Sandu told Radio Moldova. The Russian ambassador to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, said the accusation of meddling was unfounded and unsubstantiated. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow would retaliate for the expulsions. Moldova's security service released a video which it said showed Nesterovschii entering the Russian embassy in Chisinau, the Moldovan cap…

Moldova election poised to push country toward West, away from ... "Moldova’s future must be decided by Moldovans, not Moscow," the president said. LONDON --Moldovan President Maia Sandu, a pro-European leader, defeated on Sunday the Patriotic Bloc of the opposition party, who have said they aim to forge closer ties to Moscow. The country concluded its general elections with Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity winning an overall majority. The election was set to decide whether "we consolidate our democracy and join the EU, or whether Russia drags us back into a grey zone, making us a regional risk," Sandu said prior to the vote. "Moldova’s future must be decided by Moldovans, not Moscow." With almost all ballots counted, the incumbent PAS got 50.16% of the vote, winning 55 of the 101 parliamentary seats in parliament, as per the election commission’swebsite. The Patriotic Bloc got 24.19% of the votes. The total voter turnout was just over 50%, with more women voting than men. Moldova, an Eastern European country, was part of the Soviet republic until 1991. Sandu’s reelection came amidst an election that was laced with allegations of Russian interference and was marred by …

EU Plans Historic Moldova Summit But Stays Vague On Accession Timeline By Rikard Jozwiak June 17, 2025 In a historic first, the European Union will hold a summit with Moldova in Chisinau on July 4, a move signaling deeper political ties. A draft of the summit declaration, seen by RFE/RL, says such meetings will become a regular feature of EU-Moldova relations. On the other hand, the document is vague about the speed of the country's EU accession process. It also urges Chisinau to do more about fighting corruption but curiously omits any mention of sanctions. The text notes that "the EU will accelerate and further deepen its political and policy engagement with Moldova including, inter alia, through the holding of regular EU-Moldova Summits." This is a clear sign that Brussels is serious about forging a closer political relationship with Chisinau. Normally, the EU only holds summits with larger countries like, for example, Brazil, China Japan, or the United States. Since 1997, it has also held annual summits with Ukraine, and it held a summit with Turkey back in 2018 as well. In contrast, other EU candidate countries -- such as Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegr…

EU Plans Historic Moldova Summit But Stays Vague On Accession Timeline Share Share In a historic first, the European Union will hold a summit with Moldova in Chisinau on July 4, a move signaling deeper political ties. A draft of the summit declaration, seen by RFE/RL, says such meetings will become a regular feature of EU-Moldova relations. On the other hand, the document is vague about the speed of the country’s EU accession process. It also urges Chisinau to do more about fighting corruption but curiously omits any mention of sanctions. The text notes that “the EU will accelerate and further deepen its political and policy engagement with Moldova including, inter alia, through the holding of regular EU-Moldova Summits.” This is a clear sign that Brussels is serious about forging a closer political relationship with Chisinau. Normally, the EU only holds summits with larger countries like, for example, Brazil, China, Japan, or the United States. Since 1997, it has also held annual summits with Ukraine, and it held a summit with Turkey back in 2018 as well. In contrast, other EU candidate countries -- such as Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia…

Moldova braces for Kremlin meddling as US support wanes BRUSSELS — Just days before its crucial election, Moldova is in a standoff with Russia over foreign interference and warns it needs more Western support. Moldovans head to the polls Sunday in a parliamentary election mired in meddling attempts that Western security officials and cyber intelligence firms say originate from Russia. But Washington’s support to fight off cyberattacks, disinformation and other interference has dipped, in part when it dismantled its development agency USAID earlier this year. Advertisement “We lost the funding and nothing followed,” Mihai Lupascu, director of Moldova’s cybersecurity agency, told POLITICO, adding that the European Union has tried to step in. Liliana Vițu, chair of Moldova’s Audiovisual Council that oversees traditional media, told POLITICO, “The fight that Moldova is carrying on is uneven, and it worsened once U.S. pulled its support to independent media and human rights defenders.” “The big platforms are used to spread Russian disinformation and narratives that aim to destabilize the country,” she added. Such pressure comes at a critical time for Moldova, a key battleground in an i…

Former Moldovan Defense Minister rules out withdrawal of Russian troops ... Pravda Moldova Russia Former Moldovan Defense Minister rules out withdrawal of Russian troops from PMR 10.06.2025, 13:52 EET Former Moldovan Defense Minister rules out withdrawal of Russian troops from PMR CHISINAU, June 10 - RIA Novosti. The withdrawal of the Russian military contingent from Transnistria is currently impossible for political and technical reasons, Viktor Gaichuk, the creator of the For Moldova platform and former Moldovan Defense Minister, said in an interview with RIA Novosti. Earlier, Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Chisinau is ready to provide financial assistance to Transnistria in the context of the energy crisis only after the withdrawal of the Russian military from the region. And the speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Igor Grossu, noted that the peacekeeping mission in Transnistria should be replaced by a civilian mission under the supervision of the UN or the EU. "The demand for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Moldova is one of the permanent positions of both NATO countries and the European Union. And it's not new.… However, today, in my opinion,…

Moldova expels Russian diplomats over pro-Kremlin lawmakers escape World » Moldova expels Russian diplomats over pro-Kremlin lawmaker's escape Moldova expels Russian diplomats over pro-Kremlin lawmaker's escape Scandal over Russian interference rocks Chisinau Mar 31, 2025 18:13 2 407 Vasilena Petrova Moldova has taken decisive action against the Russian embassy, expelling three Russian diplomats. According to Moldovan authorities, they helped pro-Kremlin lawmaker Alexander Nesterovsky flee the country to avoid a 12-year sentence in a case of illegal political financing, Reuters reports. Nesterovsky, who has not commented on the case, is another example of the tension between Moldova's pro-European government and Russia. Official Moscow categorically denies any interference. „Interference by the Russian Federation in the judicial system of the Republic of Moldova is completely unacceptable. "Imagine if we interfere with Russian justice," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in an interview with Radio Moldova. For his part, Russian Ambassador to Chisinau Oleg Ozerov described the accusations as unfounded and devoid of evidence. Nesterovsky's Escape The Moldovan Security Service releas…

Moldova Expels Russian Diplomats Over Alleged Role in MP's Escape March 31, 2025 The Russian Embassy in Chisinau. facebook.com/rusembmoldova Moldova expelled three Russian diplomats on Monday after its security service accused the Russian Embassy in Chisinau of helping a pro-Kremlin lawmaker flee from custody. “The decision is based on clear evidence that [the three Russian diplomats] carried out activities contrary to their diplomatic status,” Moldova’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry did not name the diplomats or specify when they were expected to leave. Russia’s Foreign Ministry vowed to respond “accordingly,” state media reported Monday afternoon. Earlier on Monday, Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service released video footage, claiming it showed Moldovan lawmaker Alexander Nesterovschi entering the Russian Embassy in Chisinau on March 18. The following day, the agency said, Nesterovschi was driven in a car with diplomatic license plates to the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria — just as a Moldovan court sentenced him in absentia to 12 years in prison for illegal political funding. The Russian Embassy in Chisinau denied any involvement, calli…

'We hope the member states will recognise our effort' to join the EU: Moldova's President Maia Sandu FRANCE 24’s Europe editor-in-chief Caroline de Camaret hosts Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova. This in the context of an EU-Moldova summit held on June 22, 2026, in Brussels. The ex-Soviet republic of nearly 3 million people that borders Ukraine has opened its first “cluster” of negotiations to join the European Union. But, as it moves closer to the bloc, Moldova is becoming an  intense battleground between pro-EU and pro-Kremlin forces.This edition also features a report by FRANCE 24’s Isabelle Romero and Anaïs Chesnel, set in the inaugural conference on EU investment in Moldova.

A Useful Crisis for Moldova - CIDOB Publication date: 01/2016 Author: eonid Litra, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of World Policy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Previously he worked for more than 10 years in the Moldovan NGO sector Download PDF E-ISSN: 2013-4428 D.L.: B-8439-2012 For a long time coined as the success story of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), Moldova’s EaP leadership is now challenged by a series of problems that occurred in the reform process mainly due to corruption scandals in the banking system and in other important areas such as control of judiciary, public procurement, etc., which is a result of “oligarchisation” of the politics. At the same time, the domestic political crisis, along with the regional instability and the geopolitical confrontation in Eastern Europe, has generated additional tensions and polarization within the Moldovan society. Moldova’s context at a glance After the 2009 change of the power which brought to power a reform-minded pro-European government, Chisinau started to implement a set of reforms aiming to modernize the country and get closer to European Union. In light of an increasing dynamic in relations between Moldova and the EU, the two have n…

Piski from Chisinau: It is necessary to discuss the withdrawal of troops ... Русская версия Piski from Chisinau: It is necessary to discuss the withdrawal of troops from Transnistria together with Ukraine June 28th, 2026 19:21 President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu. Photo: Cenzura.md As part of the peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria may be discussed. This was announced today, June 28, by Moldovan President Maia Sandu. "Of course, every time we raise this issue, and Europe raises it. We hope that together we can solve this problem," Sandu said. As EADaily reported, today in Chisinau there was a rather crowded opposition rally on a local scale, at which Maya Sandu and her government were called upon to resign. People came both from the capital and from many parts of the country. The main reason was the tax policy, which led to the impoverishment of Moldovans. Permalink: eadaily.com/en/news/2026/06/28/piski-from-chisinau-it-is-necessary-to-discuss-the-withdrawal-of-troops-from-transnistria-together-with-ukraine Published on June 28th, 2026 07:21 PM Читайте EAD : Телеграм Новости Новости