“Russian actors are carrying out a plot to influence the outcomes of Moldova’s fall 2024 presidential election. They intend to incite protests in Moldova should a pro-Russia candidate not win. They seek to foment negative public perceptions of Western governments and Moldova’s incumbent leadership, while degrading public confidence in Moldova’s ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law,” IPN cites a joint statement by the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom on Russia’s subversive activity and electoral interference targeting Moldova, which was disseminated by the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau.

The statement says that Russia’s political interference in Moldova in the lead-up to the October election goes back years. For example, personnel of state-funded media outlet RT have been involved in providing direct support to fugitive Moldovan Ilan Shor.

“We have full confidence in Moldova’s ability to manage these threats linked to the Kremlin’s interference. We are taking a range of measures to support those efforts as part of our partnership with Moldova and its people. We have shared the information outlined above, and additional details, with our Moldovan partners so that they can further investigate, thwart, and disrupt the Kremlin’s plans. We will continue to work closely with the Moldovan government on this.

“We strongly support Moldova’s democratic, economic, security, and anti-corruption reforms. By revealing the Kremlin’s plot, we are making it clear to Moscow that we stand for free and fair elections and will not tolerate its attempts to meddle and undermine democratic processes,” reads the statement.

The statement of the three Governments was commented on by Prime Minister Dorin Recean, who said that the authorities in Chisinau “are grateful for the strong support of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada in defending democracy in the Republic of Moldova. The Kremlin’s attempts to undermine our sovereignty and incite destabilization will be thwarted. Our institutions are strong and ensure peace, security and the right of our people to choose their own future,” stated Premier Recean.