EU candidate Moldova takes action to prevent Russian influence in referendum

euronews (in English)

The US Institute for War Studies warned Moldova that Russia could try to destabilise the country ahead of presidential elections and the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.

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00:00 Moldova's government is taking action to counter potential Russian influence in a referendum

00:06 on its bid to join the European Union.

00:09 Its newly created Centre for Strategic Communication is designed to react to so-called misinformation

00:15 campaigns and fend off efforts to bribe the electorate.

00:20 The EU believes Russia is pouring money into the country.

00:24 "The way in which money is being poured in is very strange.

00:30 It all started with the exchange of money, from the border to the border, up to 10,000

00:37 euros.

00:38 Money should not be declared, it was necessary to declare it abroad.

00:44 There was a time when it was necessary to do so."

00:48 The vote is expected to take place in October.

00:52 Experts suggest a majority of Moldovans want to join the bloc.

00:55 However, opinions are mixed.

00:58 "We are in favour of Moldova joining the European Union, as well as Latvian countries,

01:05 as well as all the former countries of the Soviet Union."

01:11 "We are different from the countries of the European Union.

01:17 It will be difficult for people to integrate, and everything in the country will have to

01:24 be rebuilt.

01:25 I think this is not the best option."

01:27 Moldova's pro-EU president is standing for re-election later this year.

01:32 Maya Sandu's allies have raised fears Russia will try to influence that ballot.

01:38 Moscow opposes its former Soviet-era ally joining the EU, but has dismissed allegations

01:44 of political interference.

01:46 [Whoosh]

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