KYIV – The United States, Britain, and Canada jointly accused Russia on Thursday of attempting to influence the outcome of the Moldovan presidential election scheduled for October, according to a statement published by the U.S. State Department.
The statement asserts that Russia aims to exacerbate societal tensions and create negative perceptions of the West and Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu’s administration through disinformation and online propaganda.
“We are taking this step to warn our democratic partners and Allies that Russian actors are carrying out a plot to influence the outcomes of Moldova’s fall 2024 presidential election,” the statement read. The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The three governments claim that Russia is supporting certain presidential candidates and that unidentified pro-Russian actors are “actively using disinformation and propaganda online, on the air and on the streets to further their objectives.”
These actors are reportedly amplifying criticism of Sandu and her Party of Action and Solidarity to incite protests and are planning to spread falsehoods about her character and alleged electoral irregularities.
“If Russia’s election meddling proves unsuccessful in Moldova, there is reason to believe Moscow will work to incite protests,” the statement added. This joint statement follows the United States’ imposition of sanctions on Evgenia Gutul, the pro-Russia governor of Moldova’s Gagauzia region, the day prior.