Moldova’s Pro-EU President Maia Sandu Triumphs Amid Accusations Of Russian Meddling

As Moldova’s pro-EU president, Maia Sandu, celebrated her victory in the early hours of Monday, pro-Kremlin voices in Russia quickly cast doubts on the election results. Sandu won her second term in a close race, narrowly defeating former prosecutor Alexandr Stoianoglu, with Moldova’s Central Election Commission confirming Sandu’s 55% lead after counting all votes.

Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament, decried the “disgraceful organization” of the election in a post on Telegram, alleging that overseas voting options unfairly favored Sandu supporters. He implied that Moldova had prioritized voting opportunities for its diaspora in Europe, who traditionally support Sandu, while limiting access for Moldovan citizens in Russia, who might favor Stoianoglu’s pro-Russia stance.

Another Russian senator, Andrey Klishas, suggested that Moldova manipulated the diaspora vote, tipping the election in Sandu’s favor. He claimed on Telegram that officials “count the votes, determine what’s needed for the ‘correct’ candidate, and then supply the required number from overseas polling stations.”

While the Kremlin has denied accusations of orchestrating an interference campaign through disinformation, cyberattacks, and vote-buying, Moldova's government remains wary. Moscow’s alleged interest in installing a Russia-aligned leader in Chisinau aligns with its broader goals of influencing Moldova's geopolitical direction, especially as the country moves closer to joining the European Union.

Russia’s vested interest in Moldova goes beyond elections. It already maintains a military presence in Transnistria, a breakaway region bordering Ukraine, which could serve as a strategic foothold. In February, Transnistria requested Moscow’s “protection” from perceived threats from Moldovan authorities, mirroring earlier appeals by Ukraine’s Donbas region before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. In Moldova’s southern region, Gagauzia, leaders similarly seek closer ties with Moscow, with the region’s head recently meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Following Sandu’s win, U.S. President Joe Biden declared that “Russia failed” in its efforts to destabilize Moldova’s democracy. Yet the slim victory margin and Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary elections suggest Moscow might persist in exerting influence. Russian media has already emphasized that Sandu’s win came largely from the expatriate vote, as she narrowly lost domestically.

In her victory speech, Sandu acknowledged the divisions within Moldova, vowing to be “the president for all of you.” However, she faces a challenging year ahead, with next summer’s parliamentary elections looming as a possible new target for Russian interference. Lithuania’s foreign ministry urged the EU to assist Moldova in investigating Russia’s alleged interference efforts.

Ukraine, closely watching the events unfold, welcomed Sandu’s win as a positive signal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Sandu and expressed hopes for strengthening bilateral ties.

However, Moldova remains vigilant. The war in Ukraine inches closer to its borders, with Russian attacks on Odesa and Danube ports unnervingly near. As Moldova counted its final votes overnight, Romanian fighter jets scrambled just miles from Moldova’s southern border when Russian drones neared Romanian airspace. If Russia’s advances in Ukraine continue, Moldova may face threats far more severe than election meddling.