Without sustained external support, the Moldovan capability to counter disinformation and stave off electoral interference has significantly dropped. A Moldovan NGO director stated: “Without resources, we cannot... track foreign interference effectively.” He warns that interference in the Moldovan elections could derail Moldova’s hard-fought European Union aspirations and “significantly destabilize the whole of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region.”
Date: 2/25
Region: Europe & Central Asia
Country: Moldova
Topic: Governance & Rights
Policy Lens: Democracy & Governance
Additional Context: In Moldova, U.S. aid has long provided a lifeline for civil society organizations and democratic actors. In 2023, the country received over $150 million in U.S. assistance aimed at shoring up its fragile democracy and economy. This included support for independent journalism, the power grid–often a target of modern hybrid warfare–and USAID’s Moldova Resilience Initiative (MRI), a program launched only following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, specifically designed to counter disinformation and foster national unity in the face of Russian interference. Ion Manole, the Executive Director of Promo-LEX, a prominent Moldovan NGO that monitors elections and defends human rights, reports that 75–80% of its projects were funded by USAID and are now suspended.
At the onset of the cuts, Moldova’s government accused Russia of meddling in recent votes via a vast vote-buying scheme. The withdrawal of U.S. support took place in advance of pivotal parliamentary elections which took place in 2025, where pro-EU forces obtained a majority of around 60%. This victory came despite persistent allegations of Russian interference and noted disinformation campaigns. Officials continue to worry that without sustained external support, the ability to safeguard Moldova’s democracy and protect its population from disinformation may falter.