Moldova: President Sandu warns of Russia's 'unprecedented' hybrid war
Moldova is facing an "unprecedented hybrid war" on a scale "unseen before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine," President Maia Sandu said.
She stated that the Russian Federation's goal is to "capture" the state by influencing election results so it can be used against Ukraine. Her speech in Strasbourg was met with a prolonged ovation from MEPs.
The head of state said the upcoming parliamentary elections on 28 September were "the most decisive in our history" as their outcome would determine not only Moldova's future but also "regional security and stability."
The election result will decide "whether we consolidate ourselves as a stable democracy on the path toward the European Union, as a secure neighbour of Ukraine, and a security provider for the Union," or whether "Russia destabilises us, tears us away from Europe, and turns us into a threat on Ukraine's southwestern border and Europe's eastern frontier."
Ms Sandu said the country's independence was hard-won, grappling with economic and political difficulties and a Russia-fueled conflict on its soil. She added that every time the country had exercised its right to choose freely, Moscow had retaliated by cutting off its gas, banning its wine and fruit, and provoking tensions in the Transnistrian region.
"Today, we face a limitless hybrid war—of a scale unseen before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine," she said. "The Kremlin's goal is clear: to capture Moldova through the ballot box, use us against Ukraine, and turn us into a launchpad for hybrid attacks against the European Union."
Tools Moscow is using to undermine Moldova
Ms Sandu said Moldova had barely recovered from Russia's interference in last year's elections when, in January, it was plunged into an artificial energy crisis. Its purpose was to raise prices, plunge the Transnistrian region into cold and darkness, and sow discord among citizens on both banks of the Dniester River.
Illicit funding has since been flowing through cryptocurrencies, shell companies, and prepaid cards. Last year, more than €1 million in cash was seized in a single day at Chisinau airport. "Our institutions estimate that, over the past year, Russia has spent the equivalent of 1% of Moldova's GDP to influence the 2024 elections," she noted.
"Today, new funds are financing Kremlin-backed parties, buying influence, and poisoning democracy," Ms Sandu said. She added that "Russia's proxies are also funding protests—orchestrated on Telegram, with transportation provided and people lured with promises of thousands of euros."
Lies are being spread, including fake emails from state institutions, deepfakes of politicians, and fabricated "international" websites that pretend to provide impartial news but promote Kremlin propaganda.
Other tools used by Moscow to attack Moldova include social media manipulation campaigns, phishing campaigns targeting officials, cyberattacks on government services, and the use of the Church to broadcast propaganda messages.
In this context, the head of state outlined five "lessons" that Moldova has learned while defending its democracy, emphasising that "war has returned to Europe" and Europe must respond to the dangers of the 21st century with "new tools."
The five lessons listed by President Sandu were:
Cut off the dirty money and defend elections Illicit money is the lifeblood of foreign influence.
Build resilience This means energy security, interconnected infrastructure, and integrated markets.
Involve citizens and win the ideological fight Without public support, no measure will succeed.
Strengthen deterrence and coordination Aggression must become too costly, with strong defence and cyber capabilities.
Integrate and innovate
Candidate countries must be included in the defence of democracy.
Ms Sandu emphasised that the democracies of European states could be "defended together," and the reason Moldova enjoys peace today is because "Ukraine is resisting."
"If our democracy cannot be protected, no democracy in Europe is safe," she said. "Moldova and Ukraine are ready to advance in accession negotiations... and both of our democracies will be safer once we are part of the Union."
Ms Sandu recalled that Moldova applied for EU membership shortly after the Russian Federation's military attack on Ukraine. "When Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we knew we could no longer wait," she said. "We needed security."
Moldovan citizens called to take the "decisive step"
Finally, from Strasbourg, Ms Sandu addressed the citizens of Moldova "on the eve of a decisive choice."
"Today, our independence and peace are once again being tested," she said. "Interference in our elections, illegal funding from abroad, campaigns of lies, cyberattacks, paid protests, tactics to sow hatred among people. These are the methods being used to try to stop Moldova from its European path."
"Now we must take the decisive step: to elect a parliament that will lead Moldova into the European Union. This is our responsibility. Moldova's future depends on the courage and unity with which we go to the polls," Ms Sandu concluded.
This is the president's second speech from the podium of the European Parliament since the start of the war in Ukraine. In June 2022, Moldova was granted candidate status for EU accession, and in June 2024, Brussels decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
