Republic of Moldova

[…] The aim of the mission, formally established on 24 April 2023 at the request of Moldova’s authorities, is to contribute to the strengthening of Moldova’s crisis management structures and to enhance its resilience to hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

A pro-Russian candidate from the party of fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor won the second round of the elections for governor of the Moldovan autonomous region of Gagauzia.

Moldovan prosecutors suspect fugitive oligarch's party of breaking the law by offering bribes for votes in local elections in autonomous region.

Most of the candidates racing to become the new governor of the autonomous region are pro-Russian, in an unwelcome development for the country's pro-Western and pro-EU government.

Today the Council adopted a new framework for targeted restrictive measures which provides the EU with the possibility of imposing sanctions against persons responsible for supporting or implementing actions which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the country’s democracy, the rule of law, stability or security.

The citizens of Gagauzia are preparing to elect their next governor. A victory of one of the many pro-Russian candidates could destabilize Moldova and derail its EU aspirations.

Three pro-European Moldovan deputies and the the Interior Minister have been banned from entering Russia, and a Moldovan diplomat has been expelled, as tensions worsen between the two countries.

The Council today established the EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The objective of this civilian mission is to enhance the resilience of the security sector of the country in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

Moldova expressed concern on Friday after Russian soldiers stationed in the breakaway region of Transnistrian, participating in the peacekeeping mission in the buffer zone between Moldova and the region, undertook military manoeuvres without seeking Chisinau’s consent.

EU countries have drawn up sanctions targeting Moldovan oligarchs trying to overturn the pro-Western government in Chișinău. The new 14-page legal "framework for targeted restrictive measures" was circulated by the EU Commission to capitals on Monday (17 April).