Moldova to Receive $135 Million in Aid from the US to Counter Russian Influence

During his visit to Moldova on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken promised to provide $135 million in aid to ensure energy security and counter Russian disinformation.

Blinken made the announcement at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, reports AP.

Blinken visited Moldova on his way to the Czech Republic, where he was scheduled to meet with NATO foreign ministers. 

Earlier, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, the US has provided Moldova with $774 million in financial assistance, of which $300 million went to energy security. 

The trip to Chisinau comes two weeks after Blinken made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to reassure Kyiv of Washington's support and amid concerns that Moldova and Georgia face new threats from Russia.

There are also signs that Russia may be considering new hybrid actions in Moldova, where it has 1,500 troops in unrecognised Transnistria, which the US sees as contradicting Moldova's aspirations to join the European Union.

Moldova has repeatedly accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against the country, interfering in local elections and conducting large-scale disinformation campaigns aimed at overthrowing the government and disrupting its path to EU membership.

Recently, UK intelligence warned that Russia is planning to conduct a wave of hybrid attacks in Moldova ahead of the presidential election and referendum on EU accession.