Moldovan foreign affairs minister says Moldova presently more resilient against Kremlin's destabilization attempts

The society and institutions of Moldova are presently much more resilient against hybrid attacks and the Kremlin's attempts to undermine the country's stability, and external propaganda and interference, which continue, will not be able to divert the European path Moldova. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popsoi today made statements to this effect in Bucharest.

"Kremlin has a very wide toolkit and has mouthpieces everywhere, in more European states. But the media space of Moldova is safer today and our citizens are more resilient. We want to believe they have the ability to distinguish, to choose the wheat from the chaff and any attempt to destabilize our country will not succeed," said Mihai Popsoi.

The minister noted that the Kremlin's mechanisms to weaken the statehood and sovereignty of Moldova cannot be implemented as long as the internal and external support for the country's European path stays firm.

"Those who wish well for Moldova are incomparably more numerous, not only in Romania, but also in all the capitals of the European Union. The absolute majority of the political class in Romania has a serious and perfectly synchronized approach with the national interests of Moldova, the ones related to strengthening security and anchoring in the European value space," emphasized the deputy PM.

The official also drew attention to the boosting of informational attacks. "We are flooded daily by various fake news, using modern technologies—including AI, deepfake—which are increasingly difficult to combat and distinguish from truth and propaganda. But our citizens have developed a certain immunity, being exposed for years to such interferences," said Popsoi.

At the same time, he denounced attempts to destabilize through paid protests, organized with support from Moscow.

"Those who organize them do not even hide too much, declaring publicly from Moscow, inviting citizens, in exchange for large sums of money, worth thousands of dollars, to participate in destabilizing protests, believing that they enjoy a certain impunity," the minister stressed.

He emphasized that international sanctions would continue to limit the capability of fugitive oligarchs and influence agents from acting.

"The regime of sanctions of the European Union and the United States reduces this false perception of impunity. State institutions and society as a whole are much more resilient today, and we will work to reduce the malignant influence we face," concluded Mihai Popsoi.

Mihai Popsoi today participated, at an invitation by Romania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, in the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, where he referred to the priorities of Moldova in its relations with the European Union. The two officials made interventions during the working session on the subject, An Extended, Safer and More Prosperous Europe.