UWC Vice President on Russia’s ‘desperate’ attempts to halt Moldova’s Euro-integration

Russia is “desperately trying” to divert Moldova from its European path, stated Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, as reported by Euractiv. His comments followed remarks by Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who accused Romania of attempting to “annex” Moldova.

Aggressive methods of Russian propaganda include distorting historical facts while ignoring reality, the Romanian official said. Bucharest, instead, underscored the need to combat Kremlin misinformation by all possible means to secure Moldova’s Euro-integration.

“The Russian authorities are desperately attempting to derail Moldova from its European path through disinformation,” Ciolacu said, urging Moldovan leaders to remain steadfast and not succumb to intimidation tactics.

“Romania stands shoulder to shoulder with Moldova in realizing the European dream,” he added.

Also shedding light on Russia’s actions and the tense situation ahead Moldova’s Oct. 20 presidential election were: Mykola-Myroslav Petretskyi, head of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania (UUR) and UWC Vice President for Eastern Europe, along with Roman Russu, a political scientist and a member of the leadership of National Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova (NCUM).

An “extremely important” national referendum takes place on the same day. Voters will decide whether to enshrine the irreversibility of the country’s European course in its Constitution, Petretskyi said.

The situation is particularly complicated due to extensive harmful actions by Russia, including disinformation campaigns, foreign manipulation of information, interference in electoral processes, and the undermining of democratic institutions, UUR’s head says.

Voters, including Ukrainian community members, will face a “historic choice,” Petretskyi said.

“Ukrainians in Moldova have a unique opportunity, alongside Ukrainians in Ukraine, to become part of one large European family,” the UWC Vice President said. “After decades and centuries of suffering, all Ukrainians in the region can join a strong and prosperous Europe, fostering a shared space of peace and development.” 

Despite these challenges, Russia continues to try to keep Moldova within its sphere of influence through various political and economic methods, political scientist Russu noted.

“The primary tactic currently employed by Russian agents in Moldova is voter bribery. According to the General Inspectorate of Police of Moldova, Russia spent $15 million in September alone to undermine the elections,” Russu said.

Referendum disruption is the main objective of the pro-Russian network, which consists of approximately 130,000 individuals.

If the referendum fails to deliver a positive outcome, “it could significantly hinder Moldova’s Euro-integration, affecting support for this course both within society – due to demoralization and [provide] additional arguments for Euro-skeptics – and externally, as the EU may question the viability of investments in a country that does not aspire to join the Union,” Russu cautioned.

Additionally, on Oct. 14, Brussels approved new sanctions against Evghenia Guțul, the leader of the autonomous region of Gagauzia in Moldova, and several others for activities aimed at destabilizing the country, as announced by the EU Council press service.