<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/13/russia-trying-to-meddle-in-moldova-polls-say-uk-us-and-canada>
"The UK, US and Canada have accused Russia of a plot to interfere in Moldova’s
presidential election and referendum on EU membership later this year.
In a pointed joint statement issued on the first day of the G7 summit in Italy,
the three governments accused Russian actors of “spreading lies” and “seeking
to undermine Moldovan democratic institutions” in a campaign of political
interference stretching back years.
The three countries said Moscow was attempting to undermine Moldova’s
pro-western president, Maia Sandu, before the next presidential election and
referendum on EU membership. Both votes are due on 20 October.
The former Soviet country, which borders Ukraine, has long feared Russian
intervention in its domestic affairs, notably in the Kremlin-allied breakaway
republic of Transnistria and the southern autonomous region of Gagauzia.
Sandu’s government has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its war against
Moscow.
The UK, US and Canadian governments said Russian actors were seeking to “foment
negative public perceptions” of Sandu, western governments and the prospect of
Moldovan membership of the EU. Sandu has been president since 2020, when she
was elected with 57.7% of the vote in the final runoff.
They accused Russia of “actively using disinformation and propaganda online, on
the air, and on their streets to further their objectives” of “degrading public
confidence in Moldova’s ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law”.
The statement singled out the Russian state broadcaster RT, which it said had
been “involved in providing direct support” to Ilan Shor, a fugitive
pro-Russian businessman who has been sentenced in absentia to 15 years in
prison in connection with the disappearance of $1bn from Moldovan banks in
2014.
The three countries said that if Sandu were re-elected, “there is reason to
believe Moscow will work to incite protests”. They said they were working
closely with the Moldovan government and had already sanctioned actors
involved, with further sanctions being considered."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
