Romanian Member of the European Parliament Siegfried Mureșan warned on September 12 that Moscow intends to transform Moldova into a satellite state similar to Belarus. Speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing electoral campaign in Chisinau, he said that Russia uses Belarus to attack Europe and now aims to apply the same strategy to Moldova. According to Mureșan, accusations of espionage recently voiced by Romania and the Czech Republic against Belarus highlight its role as a proxy in Moscow’s broader conflict with the West.
Warnings about Russian interference in Moldova’s elections
Mureșan stressed that Moscow has relied on Belarus as a satellite in its war against Ukraine and Europe since the invasion in 2022. He argued that Russia wants to replicate this model in Moldova to undermine European democracies, especially as the country moves closer to the European Union. He pointed to the use of voter bribery from Moscow, illicit funding of pro-Russian politicians, and coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at derailing Moldova’s European course. He warned that Russia’s strategy is to exploit the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moldova on September 28 to bring pro-Russian forces to power and use the country against Europe.
President Sandu highlights importance of diaspora and EU path
President Maia Sandu, addressing the Summit of Active Moldovans in the Diaspora held in Potsdam on September 12–13, said that Moldovan citizens everywhere can play a decisive role in shaping their country’s future. She emphasized that the choice Moldovans make now will determine whether they can build a strong, united state that becomes part of the European Union. Unlike in previous campaigns, Sandu and her pro-Western government openly identify Russia as the biggest threat to Moldova and call for stronger European support. In her words, integration with the EU is Moldova’s security strategy and the most effective safeguard against foreign interference.
Civil society and security services counter Russian influence
Moldovan think tanks such as WatchDog.md regularly expose and debunk Russian narratives aimed at discrediting the current pro-European government. Law enforcement agencies have also unmasked networks linked to Moscow, including the NGO “Eurasia,” which uses religious figures, youth groups, and educators to spread pro-Russian messages. These structures organize anti-government rallies financed by Russia through cash and cryptocurrency. Officials in Chisinau have not ruled out post-election provocations by pro-Russian forces, and security institutions are testing their readiness to respond.
Moldova’s European integration as a security guarantee
Over the past four years, Moldova has positioned itself as an ally of Ukraine and the EU, underscoring that peace in Moldova depends on Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression. Analysts say that Moldova’s successful EU integration would make it far harder for Moscow to exploit the country as a staging ground for destabilizing Eastern Europe. As the election approaches, the balance between Moldova’s pro-European course and Russia’s attempts to pull it into its orbit could have lasting consequences for regional security.
