**Russia Accused of Buying Votes in Moldovan Elections**
Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean has made a shocking claim: Russia spent nearly $220 million to buy votes in the country’s presidential election and European Union referendum last year. This staggering amount is equivalent to almost 1% of Moldova’s GDP.
Recean’s statement comes as the UK imposed sanctions on a pro-Russian NGO called “Eurasia,” which is alleged to have played a key role in trying to rig the referendum and destabilize Moldova’s democracy. The NGO, led by fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, is accused of bribing voters.
**A Razor-Thin Margin**
The outcome of the EU referendum was extremely close, with pro-EU voters winning by just 50.35% to 49.65%. In the presidential election, incumbent President Maia Sandu won by a margin of 55.3% to 44.7%, despite what she called an “unprecedented” attempt at election interference backed by Moscow.
**A Hybrid War**
Moldova’s authorities, independent observers, and officials from the EU and US have all pointed to a malign influence campaign involving criminal networks and political groups tied to Russia. Sandu has long insisted that the real opponent to her government and Moldova’s European path is the Kremlin, which has been waging a hybrid war designed to push Chisinau back into Moscow’s orbit.
**A Global Response**
The international community is taking note of Moldova’s situation. The UK, EU, and US have all imposed sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to Russia’s meddling in Moldovan elections.
**Ukraine Update**
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face challenges from Russian forces. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 28 out of 39 strike and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, while seven decoy drones disappeared without causing damage. The US Defense Secretary will not attend a meeting with Ukraine’s partners next week, citing economic sanctions.
**Rebuilding Ukraine**
Ukraine is also working to rebuild its infrastructure after years of conflict. International donors have allocated nearly $7.4 billion for priority recovery projects in 2025, but there remains a significant deficit of almost $10 billion to finance reconstruction projects.
**A Global Effort to Support Ukraine**
The international community is coming together to support Ukraine’s efforts to rebuild and defend itself against Russian aggression. The EU is set to receive a 20% tariff on goods from Russia, China, and Ukraine, while the US has imposed economic sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to Russia’s actions.
**A Complex Web of Alliances**
As tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate, alliances are shifting. Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic revealed that he has friends in the Kremlin who are secretly speaking with him.
This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.