Resolution on strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian hybrid threats and malign interference

The European Parliament adopted by 490 votes to 65, with 86 abstentions, a resolution on strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian hybrid threats and malign interference.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA groups and Members.

Parliament grants its full support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, as well as for its efforts to defend the integrity of its democratic processes, the sovereignty of its foreign policy decisions and the socio-economic prospects of its people. It called, therefore, on Russia to respect Moldova’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and cease its attempts at undermining Moldova’s constitutional order and democratic institutions.

Parliament condemns:

- the repeated attempts by the Russians to destabilise Moldova, sow divisions within Moldovan society and derail the country’s democracy and progress towards EU accession through hybrid attacks, the manipulation of energy supplies to achieve political outcomes, illicit financing of political actors, and campaigns of disinformation, manipulation and intimidation targeting civil society organisations and independent media;

- the intensifying Russian hybrid operations and attempts at interference ahead of the parliamentary elections on 28 September 2025 that clearly aim to destabilise the country and reverse its democratic course and sovereign decisions, in particular in relation to future EU membership;

- Russia’s continued instrumentalisation of energy supplies.

On the other hand, the resolution commends:

- Moldova’s exemplary commitment and steady progress on EU accession-related reforms despite significant internal and external challenges. The Council is urged to swiftly open accession negotiations on Cluster 1 (fundamentals) in recognition of Moldova’s substantial progress in advancing crucial reforms;

- Moldova on the significant progress it has made in phasing out Russian energy sources, accelerating the decarbonisation and digitalisation of its energy mix, and integrating into the EU energy market.

Financial support

Members reiterated their call on the EU to continue to complement political support with increasing financial and technical support for the Moldovan Government’s efforts to counter foreign interference in the country’s democratic processes. They also renewed their call for the Moldovan authorities and the EU to increase their support for independent media and pro-democracy civil society, to enable journalists at national and regional level to counter foreign information manipulation and interference and strengthen digital literacy.

Parliament encouraged the European External Action Service and the Commission to use all available EU instruments to support Moldova in countering hybrid threats. Member States are called on to increase funding for Moldova through the European Peace Facility and to include Moldova in joint defence procurement under the European Defence Industrial Programme.

Lastly, Parliament welcomed the smooth adoption of the EUR 1.9 billion Growth Plan for Moldova to boost the Moldovan economy and advance the country’s path toward EU membership by accelerating key reforms in sectors such as energy, the environment, the digital sector, transport and others.

Lastly, the resolution welcomed the recent agreement to review and update the trade provisions of the EU-Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, which will provide increased market access for Moldovan agricultural exports that have not yet been liberalised. It also supported the inclusion of Moldova in the pre-accession instrument under the next multiannual financial framework.