Moldovan President Maia Sandu issued a stark warning on Wednesday, declaring that Russia is preparing an “unprecedented” effort to interfere in the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for September. Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Chișinău, Sandu pointed to corruption, illegal campaign financing, and disinformation as the key tools being deployed by the Kremlin to destabilize Moldova’s democratic institutions.

“We are facing the most serious external threat to our democracy since independence,” Sandu said. “Moscow is channeling illegal funds and political support to pro-Russian actors in an attempt to sway the outcome of our elections.”

Russia’s Longstanding Influence in Moldova

Sandu’s warning comes amid heightened concerns across Eastern Europe over Russian hybrid warfare tactics, which include election meddling, economic pressure, cyberattacks, and the use of political proxies. Moldova, a former Soviet republic, has long been caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war between Russia and the West, particularly since Sandu — a pro-European reformist — came to power in 2020.

Although Moldova formally applied for EU membership in 2022 and has taken steps toward integration with the European Union, Moscow continues to wield significant influence, particularly through the breakaway region of Transnistria, where Russian troops are stationed in violation of Moldova’s sovereignty.

Russia has also cultivated strong ties with Moldovan political factions opposed to European integration, often using them as vehicles for its interests in the region. According to Moldovan intelligence reports and investigations by independent journalists, Kremlin-linked networks have funneled millions of euros into Moldovan politics, mostly through offshore schemes, shadow donors, and shell companies.

A Familiar Pattern of Interference

The situation in Moldova echoes similar strategies observed in Georgia, Ukraine, and the Western Balkans, where Russian efforts to subvert democratic processes have followed a recognizable pattern: support for populist or anti-Western candidates, information warfare, and direct attempts to destabilize governments pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration.

President Sandu stated that Moldova’s security agencies are on high alert and working with international partners to monitor and counter these threats. However, she acknowledged that corruption and weak institutional safeguards remain vulnerabilities that Russia is poised to exploit.

EU and NATO Watch Closely

Moldova’s concerns are being taken seriously by its Western allies. The European Union, NATO, and the United States have all increased support for democratic resilience in Moldova, including cybersecurity assistance, election monitoring, and anti-corruption reforms. A delegation from the OSCE is expected to observe the upcoming elections.

Still, Western officials privately admit that defending Moldova from interference is a difficult task, given the country’s limited resources, deep political divisions, and proximity to the war in neighboring Ukraine.

A Test for Moldova’s Democratic Future

The September parliamentary elections are being framed by many as a referendum on Moldova’s geopolitical direction. A strong showing for pro-European parties could accelerate integration with the EU. Conversely, a resurgence of pro-Russian forces could stall reforms and potentially reverse Moldova’s Western trajectory.

Sandu, whose presidency has been defined by a pro-EU stance and anti-corruption campaign, is calling on citizens to resist external manipulation. “This is not just about an election,” she said. “It’s about choosing the future we want — either freedom and democracy, or foreign control and corruption.”

As Moldova enters the final weeks of the campaign season, the stakes could hardly be higher — not just for this small nation of 2.6 million people, but for the broader balance of power in Eastern Europe.