Moldova adopts U.S. sanctions to counter election interference

The Republic of Moldova has adopted U.S. sanctions against three entities and two individuals from the Russian Federation, accused of engaging in destabilizing activities, including within Moldova itself.

These actions include support for fugitive oligarch Ilan Șor and interference in the presidential elections and referendum held earlier this autumn. The Inter-Institutional Oversight Council made this decision.

In September, the U.S. Department of State announced sanctions targeting, among others, the pro-Kremlin media outlet Russia Today (RT) and ANO Evrazia. According to the Department of State, RT staff have directly supported Ilan Șor's activities for years, with the approval of the Russian government.

“Leveraging its extensive covert resources, RT is highly likely to coordinate with Russian intelligence services to manipulate the outcome of Moldova’s October 2024 presidential elections in favor of Moscow,” the official statement reads.

ANO Evrazia is also accused of implementing a plan to influence Moldova’s upcoming elections. The organization reportedly orchestrated a mechanism to transfer funds into the country under the guise of “humanitarian assistance.” In reality, these funds were allegedly used for a vote-buying campaign to support pro-Kremlin candidates, aiming to undermine democratic processes in Moldova.

“Evrazia” was founded by Nelli Parutenco, a former accountant at Orhei City Hall during Șor’s time as mayor. In 2022, Parutenco fled to Moscow, where the fugitive oligarch also remains in hiding, to evade an investigation into the alleged illegal financing of Șor’s former political party, which has since been outlawed. Recently, Radio Free Europe reported that the organization, established in April 2024, has been organizing trips for hundreds of young Moldovans to Moscow over the past several months. These individuals are reportedly enticed and “educated” to promote a Eurasian geopolitical direction.

“We are taking action against them due to their covert influence activities,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.

The United States emphasized that these measures aim to support Moldova’s efforts to protect the integrity of the elections scheduled for October 20. “We will continue to work closely with the government of Moldova to uphold democracy and its people,” Blinken added.