According to Sinikukka Saari, a leading researcher at the Foreign Policy Institute, Russia’s reasons for influencing Sunday’s elections in Moldova were related to war strategy and image.
Russia clearly tried to influence Sunday’s elections in Moldova, estimates the leading researcher of the Foreign Policy Institute Sinikukka Saari in Monday night’s A-studio. According to the Moldovan police, people arrived in the country from Moscow and distributed cash to voters so that they would vote for pro-Russian candidates.
– Moldova is an easy target because it is the poorest country in Europe, and even a little money can buy votes, says Saari.
According to Saari, small Moldova is not the most important of Russia’s frontline countries, but it is a strategically important country in a war of aggression.
– If Russia were ever able to advance in Ukraine, Moldova would be a logical end point for it.
On the other hand, it is also about Russia’s image, says Saari.
– Everything that is away from the EU and the West is in Russia’s logic for Russia.
On Sunday, Moldova voted for both EU membership and the president. A pro-EU sitting president Maia Sandu won the elections clearly and the supporters of EU membership won the referendum with 50.46 percent.
According to Saari, Russia’s grip has become stronger in former Soviet countries like Moldova, because the western orientation has strengthened in them. Next, Russia’s attention may turn to the upcoming elections in Georgia.
– Every election is a big effort, whether this western line continues or not.
Watch Monday’s A-studio at Areena.