The US, UK and Canada on Thursday warned of a Russian “plot” to influence Moldova’s presidential elections this fall and “incite protests” if a pro-Russian candidate fails to win in the nation that neighbors Ukraine.
In a joint statement released by the US Department of State, the three said that “Russian actors” intended to “incite protests in Moldova should a pro-Russia candidate not win.”
Pro-European Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who is seeking a second term in a vote set for Oct. 20, has repeatedly warned of Russia’s alleged interference in Moldovan politics.
Photo: Reuters
The vote is also to include a referendum about joining the EU.
“We are taking this step to warn our democratic partners and allies that Russian actors are carrying out a plot to influence the outcomes of Moldova’s fall 2024 presidential election,” the statement said.
The statement said that Russian operators were “agitating criticism” via disinformation and propaganda, including “spreading lies about the incumbent president’s character and intentions, and about supposed electoral irregularities.”
“Russia is currently supporting candidates for Moldova’s presidency and is exacerbating societal tensions,” it said. “We share President Sandu’s strong concerns about the Kremlin’s use of criminal groups to finance political activities and undermine Moldova’s democratic institutions.”
The US on Wednesday announced sanctions against the governor of Moldova’s Gagauzia region, Evghenia Gutul, over her links to Ilan Shor, a fugitive oligarch who has emerged as an unofficial opposition leader.
Shor, who was convicted in absentia of fraud last year, announced from Moscow with other pro-Russian activists, including Gutul, the creation of a political coalition called Victory.
The US sanctions target Shor and his associates for “their Kremlin-backed illegal political interference efforts.”
In a message on Telegram, Shor called the sanctions against Gutul “a symbol that we have been doing everything right, are doing it and will continue to do it.”
When Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan posted a vacation photo on Valentine’s Day and captioned it “Puppy Mountain,” it became a sensation in China and even created a tourist destination. Guo had gone on a hike while visiting his hometown of Yichang in central China’s Hubei Province late last month. When reviewing the photographs, he saw something he had not noticed before: A mountain shaped like a dog’s head rested on the ground next to the Yangtze River, its snout perched at the water’s edge. “It was so magical and cute. I was so excited and happy when I discovered it,” Guo said.
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