DISINFO: Europe tried to buy the votes of Moldovan citizens for 1.8 billion euros
SUMMARY
The 2024 Moldova's EU membership referendum was fundamentally undemocratic. The European Commission actively attempted to influence the outcome through bribes, despite a clear majority of Moldovan residents voting against EU accession.
RESPONSE
A widespread pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign seeking to tarnish Moldova’s legitimate EU aspirations, portraying the West as aggressive and intent on drawing Moldova into its "proxy war" against Russia. This allegation is part of a significant Russian interference operation that occurred during the lead-up to Moldova’s presidential election and EU accession referendum, both held on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
What the article portrays as a substantial bribe is actually the European Commission's adopted Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, valued at €1.8 billion. This plan, the largest EU financial support package since Moldova's independence, is designed to boost the country's economy, accelerate reforms, and provide significant financial assistance for the structural changes needed to achieve EU membership.
Moldova has sought EU integration long before the narrative of the West's proxy war gained such traction, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In April 2014, former Prime Minister Iurie Leanca articulated an ambitious goal, stating that Moldova aimed to become a full EU member by the time Romania held the EU presidency in 2019.
In contrast, there is compelling evidence of Russian interference in both voting campaigns in Moldova. The Moldovan authorities estimate that over €100 million has been spent this year on these efforts. According to the head of the Moldovan General Inspectorate of Police, funds from Sberbank - a Russian bank under international sanctions - had been transferred to accounts in Moldova.
For more information on Kremlin disinformation related to Moldova’s referendum, read here. See similar disinformation cases, alleging that documents show Moldovan President Maia Sandu has schizophrenia and President Maia Sandu announced that Moldova can join the EU without Transnistria.