Russia has launched high-intensity hybrid attacks against Moldova - official

RIGA - Russia has been targeting Moldova with high-intensity hybrid attacks aimed at undermining public trust in the government, European institutions and Moldova's future in the European Union (EU), Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Kristina Gerasimov, who is in Latvia on a working visit, told reporters following a meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) on Monday.

Moldova is due to hold parliamentary elections at the end of September, but already now, according to the Moldovan official, Russia has launched hybrid attacks using disinformation and propaganda. Gerasimov noted that the Russian propaganda is being spread on social media.

"The Moldovan public must be vigilant in the coming months and be aware of the security risks to which Moldova and its citizens are exposed in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. Russia wants to remove Moldova from the European path and open the door to pursue its own interests not only in Moldova but in the region as a whole," Gerasimov warned.

Braze stressed at the news conference that Latvia is well aware of the situation in Moldova, recalling Ukraine's path towards EU membership. She pointed out that even before 2014, Ukraine had expressed a clear political wish to join the bloc. According to the foreign minister, Russia's doctrine of war-making means that it is much cheaper and easier for Russia to take over a country using methods other than direct hostilities, such as corruption and attempts to influence elections.

Braze said that during the meeting with Gerasimov, they discussed not only Moldova's security challenges, but also Latvia's support for Moldova's aspirations to become an EU member state. The Latvian foreign minister stressed that Latvia is providing practical assistance to both Ukraine and Moldova, including training people for EU negotiations, strengthening energy infrastructure and the agricultural sector.

The Moldovan deputy prime minister thanked Latvia and its people for their support. She pointed out that Moldova wants to learn good practices from Latvia. Gerasimov said that Moldova benefits greatly from Latvia's expertise and practical support.

Braze indicated that Latvia is providing support to Moldova within the EU, so that other countries also appreciate Moldova's progress. There are also bilateral cooperation projects between the two countries, such as those related to critical infrastructure, communication technologies and digitalization.

"Moldova has the political will to join the EU. Moldova has managed to resist Russian influence in the last presidential elections. We will support Moldova in holding fair elections again this year," the Latvian foreign minister said.