Gherasimov denounces Russian hybrid attack before Luxembourg summit
Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, has denounced a targeted Russian disinformation campaign following a fraudulent phone call. Russian state-aligned actors orchestrated the call by impersonating the Albanian Foreign Minister.
The perpetrators, frequently linked to Russian intelligence services, leaked out-of-context fragments of the private conversation online. The manipulated release aimed to mislead the public regarding Moldova's European Union accession process.
During the recorded exchange, Gherasimov discussed the strict domestic timeline for European integration.
"We promised our citizens that we would sign the accession treaty during this parliamentary cycle," Gherasimov stated. "We assumed a very high political risk during the last elections. If we do not deliver on this promise, the public will hold us accountable. This remains highly problematic because while everyone praises our structural reforms, the domestic political stakes can shift dramatically against us."
Writing on her official social media account, Gherasimov clarified that these hostile actions are part of a broader manipulation campaign. This campaign has intensified as Moldova prepares to officially open EU accession negotiations.
The timing of the leak is calculated to disrupt diplomatic progress. Next week in Luxembourg, EU member states will convene at the General Affairs Council to decide on opening the first negotiation clusters with Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
