VIDEO // President: Russia wants to control Moldova by autumn

Russia wants to control Moldova by autumn and is preparing an unprecedented interference in September elections. The risks to public order and security are high, and all institutions, as well as society must be aware of the danger and protect ourselves. President Maia Sandu made the statement following the meeting of the Supreme Security Council.

According to the official, Kremlin is investing in multiple political vehicles through intermediaries to enter the next Parliament with the aim of taking control in Moldova. The head of state presented 10 main tools of interference in the political and electoral processes of our country, which are allegedly coordinated and financed by Ilan Shor.


"The greatest danger of the Russian Federation's interference in our internal affairs and these elections is that it poses a direct threat to our state security, the country's sovereignty, and the European future of Moldova. We will face extreme interference, well-orchestrated, with immense financial resources and involved criminal groups. Our institutions must work much more closely in the coming period for data exchange, identification, and stopping attempts to circumvent the law, creating institutional mechanisms to inform in the context of increasing informational manipulation. It is necessary to act united and professionally to protect the national interest," stated Maia Sandu.


Among the threats listed by the head of state are: electoral corruption and illicit external funding, where approximately 100 million euros are planned to be financed through cryptocurrencies; foreign informational manipulation campaigns; the organization of paid protests; cyberattacks on digital infrastructure ensuring the elections and other critical infrastructure targets; the use of the church for the benefit of a foreign state; utilizing so-called opinion leaders and online influencers as intermediaries to convey messages against the European path of the country; involvement of organized crime in destabilizing actions; sabotaging the electoral process in the diaspora; hybrid influences concerning the electorate in UTAG and Transnistrian region; mobilization and radicalization online by promoting extremism and hatred in society.

The head of state emphasized that these actions should not frighten us but mobilize us.


"The purpose of these actions is to increase social tensions, weaken people's trust in the state and its institutions, and even to generate violence. It's important to remain vigilant. Our institutions know what to do. And citizens have a great responsibility. The future of Moldova depends on each of us, on the information we consume, on the actions we take, on what we believe, and how we make decisions. We want free and fair elections, elections where Moldovans decide, not Moscow's money, not propaganda, and not fear induced by organized violence. We all, those who love Moldova, want a European future in peace and prosperity, here, at home," remarked Maia Sandu.


The President of Moldova called today the meeting of the Supreme Security Council. During this meeting, actions to combat informational manipulation and foreign interference in the electoral process were discussed.