Maia Sandu: The Kremlin does not respect the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and their choice
The Russian Federation does not respect the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and their choice, but tries to undermine our country's efforts to strengthen its democracy, claims President Maia Sandu. The head of state declared, during a conference held in Chisinau together with her Italian counterpart, that the Republic of Moldova is not the only country that the Kremlin would try to destabilize. On a two-day visit to Chisinau, the leader from Rome, Sergio Mattarella, admitted that Italy is also subject to a disinformation campaign, a phenomenon observed, in particular, in electoral contexts.
"Such things happen not only in the Republic of Moldova. Unfortunately, the Kremlin does not respect Moldovan citizens and their choice. The Kremlin wants the Republic of Moldova to remain in a gray area, which it can use in its own interests. The citizens of the Republic of Moldova want to be part of the free world, have the chance to strengthen their democracy and have the right to choose and build their present and future. (…) The Kremlin is trying to undermine our efforts, the processes of strengthening institutions and democratic processes, through dirty money that it brings to the Republic of Moldova to finance destabilizing actions, to intervene in elections, to finance pro-Kremlin forces", declared President Maia Sandu.
The head of state claims that the more the Republic of Moldova faces the problem of disinformation and propaganda, the greater is the determination of the authorities to build a strong state - joint efforts with development partners.
"Yes, the Republic of Moldova is more vulnerable, because it is closer and is in the process of transformation, but EU states also face these challenges. We are trying to learn how we can fight these hybrid attacks, strengthen our democracy and be able to follow our choice", concluded President Maia Sandu.
On a visit to Chisinau, the Italian president admitted that his country is also subject to disinformation and propaganda from the Russian Federation. According to him, these attempts "are much more intense in the electoral context".
"A series of websites that may appear or disappear, as a kind of fake news, whose purpose is to destabilize our country. All these ways are to show hostility. I hope that the headquarters of the international community will find an appropriate reaction", said Sergio Mattarella.
We remind you that Sergio Mattarella is on an official two-day visit to the Republic of Moldova. This is the first official visit of an Italian president to our country, Italy being the sixth trade partner of the Republic of Moldova and the country that hosts the largest community of Moldovans in the diaspora.
