ISTANBUL 

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said Tuesday that Russia attempted to influence the country’s recent parliamentary elections to take control of power in Chisinau, according to state news agency Moldpres.

Sandu claimed Moscow’s involvement in the elections was not about Moldova but its strategic position.

“The Republic of Moldova is a small country, we do not have metals or other great wealth. Russia did not want control of us, but because the ultimate target was the EU. Moldova was just a plateau from which it could harm the European Union,” she said.

She stressed that Moldovans responded with an “honest and courageous” vote, sending a message that decisions are made domestically.

“I believe that our example can be followed by other countries in the former Soviet Union, where Russia is trying to take control and limit sovereignty,” Sandu noted.

The president argued that Moscow can no longer use energy or trade to pressure Moldova.

“It cannot shut off our gas, and soon we will put the Chisinau-Vulcanesti power line into operation, which offers us alternatives,” she said, adding that the country’s market is no longer dependent on the Russian Federation.

Sandu emphasized Moldova’s intention to follow a peaceful domestic agenda with leaders “loyal to this country” and urged the EU to strengthen its resilience.

“We want to live freely, we want small countries, like Moldova, to matter,” she said. “The Russian narrative is that only big states matter and others must align or submit. We don’t want that.”

Moldova applied for EU membership in 2022, shortly after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. In June 2024, Brussels approved a negotiation framework for Chisinau, though the process has faced opposition from some member states.​​​​​​​