Moldova President Maia Sandu delivered an urgent warning to the European Parliament this week, declaring that Russia wages an unprecedented hybrid war to hijack Moldova’s pivotal September election. Sandu specifically accused Moscow of relentless interference designed to drag her nation back into its sphere of influence.
“On 28 September 2025, Moldova faces the most consequential election in its entire history,” Sandu stated firmly in Strasbourg. “We confront an unlimited hybrid war on a scale unseen even before Ukraine’s full invasion.”
Consequently, she emphasized the Kremlin’s clear objective: capturing Moldova through the ballot box. Furthermore, Russia intends to exploit Moldova against Ukraine and as a launchpad for EU attacks. Sandu and European allies consistently accuse Moscow of destabilizing the small nation strategically positioned between Ukraine and Romania.
European Allies Step Up Support
A vocal Russia critic since 2022, Sandu successfully steered Moldova into official EU accession talks starting June 2024. “Our European path is not merely about values; it is absolutely essential for survival,” she explained powerfully.
Therefore, she argued, Russia unleashed its full hybrid arsenal precisely because Moldova advanced significantly westward. “The battlefield is our elections,” Sandu declared with stark clarity.
The Moldovan leader detailed Russia’s alleged tactics including illicit cryptocurrency funding, massive social media disinformation, and direct vote buying schemes. “Moldova is not alone in protecting its democracy,” Sandu gratefully acknowledged. “The European Union stands with us financially, technically, and politically.”
Consequently, the EU demonstrated strong backing recently when German, French, and Polish leaders made a highly symbolic joint visit. This crucial election represents a definitive test for Moldova’s sovereignty and European future.
