Britain seeks to prevent Russia from interfering in Moldova’s elections

Russia is allegedly trying to interfere in Moldova’s EU referendum and presidential elections this year. UK pledges to help

According to sources familiar with U.K. intelligence assessments, Russia intends to launch a series of what are termed “hybrid” attacks against Moldova ahead of its upcoming presidential election and the referendum on joining the European Union later this year.

Britain will share intelligence with Moldovan authorities in the coming months to help them counter the perceived threat from Russian agents, according to sources. On Tuesday, Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi will meet with Minister of Europe Nusrat Ghani in London on Tuesday to discuss “Russia’s subversive interference”. The defense ministers of the two countries will also meet to discuss the issue, the British Foreign Office said in a statement.

Russia has consistently refuted allegations of interfering in other countries’ elections, including those in Moldova. Earlier this month, Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that public criticisms against Russia by Moldovan officials have become commonplace.

In an interview last week, Popsoi highlighted that the Kremlin is employing a range of tactics, from AI-generated deep fakes to financial inducements, to destabilize democracy in Moldova.

Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in the elections of other countries, including Moldova’s. Earlier this month Zakharova said open attacks on Russia by Moldovan officials had “become a daily routine”.

Source: Newsroom