Ukraine condemns Russia’s meddling in Moldova elections
Ukraine has raised concerns about Russian efforts to destabilize Moldova ahead of the elections scheduled for late September. Heorhii Tykhyi, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), emphasized during a press conference that Moscow's actions represent "serious interference" in Moldova's internal affairs. He also reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to supporting democratic and transparent elections in Moldova.
The date of the elections in the Republic of Moldova is approaching, scheduled for the end of September. It has been noted that Russia is making significant efforts to destabilize Moldova by investing money and resources, and employing strategies such as propaganda and disinformation. This behavior is seen as serious interference in Moldova's internal affairs, as stated by Ukrainian official Heorhii Tykhyi on September 17.
Tykhyi expressed Ukraine's desire for the upcoming elections in Moldova to be fair and transparent. He remarked, "We expect the elections to be held democratically and transparently, allowing everyone the opportunity to express their vote and will. We have always wished for prosperity, security, and a decent standard of living for our friendly neighbour, Moldova. This standard will naturally be advanced through our future shared membership in the European Union."
He also emphasized the importance of Ukraine and Moldova continuing to cooperate on their path toward EU accession, stating, "EU membership for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova signifies peace, security, and a decent standard of living." Tykhyi further declared that Russia is attempting to obstruct these goals, adding, "This is nothing new, and we are convinced that Moldova, our friend, understands this very well."
Additionally, Tykhyi reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment as a "friendly and partner country" to assist the Republic of Moldova in facing external pressures and preventing regional destabilization.
On September 9, President Maia Sandu declared in a plenary session of the European Parliament that the Republic of Moldova is experiencing “a hybrid war without limits, on an unprecedented scale, comparable to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.” She highlighted that Russia’s objective is to "capture" their state by influencing the election results for use against Ukraine.
According to Sandu, the parliamentary elections on September 28 are "the most decisive election in our history," as the outcomes will influence not only Moldova's future but also regional security and stability.
Following this, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s interference and reaffirming its strong support for Moldova’s European path.
The parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova are set to take place on September 28.
