The United States is not the only country that has just held a consequential election. In former Soviet Union states Moldova and Georgia, citizens recently voted in contests to join the Western world. In both cases, Russia appears to have tried to influence the outcome, as it has done in the United States and many other countries.
President Vladimir Putin aims to keep Moldova and Georgia at his mercy, and election results in both countries suggest his strategy is working. The United States and its European partners need to more actively support democratic movements in Moldova, Georgia, and other countries seeking to escape Russia's orbit.
Russia's military presence in Moldova and Georgia is Russia's main source of influence in these countries, but force is not the only tool at Putin's disposal. In both countries, Russian spies, troll farms, and Kremlin cronies are stirring up separatist and anti-Western sentiment and interfering in political processes. By exploiting local rifts and corruption, Moscow is fomenting political discontent and increasing Russian influence.
Moldovans went to the polls on October 20 to vote in a constitutional referendum that would enshrine the country's ambitions to elect a president and join the European Union. The incumbent president, Maia Sandu, and the Anti-Russian Action Solidarity party supported the referendum. Sandu ultimately defeated his main rival in the presidential race, Alexander Stoianoglo, backed by the pro-Russian Socialist Party. second round About voting. of Referendum passedbut the vote share was only 50.16%. The narrow margin came as a shock to many, denying Sandu the broader mandate needed to lead his country into EU membership.
The vote was ruined by US State Department policy. explained as “an unprecedented level of Kremlin interference.” Moscow has long sought to maintain control over Moldova, maintaining a 1,500-strong “peacekeeping” force there. in Transnistriaa breakaway region run by pro-Russian leaders.
Ahead of the election, with Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, who is based in Russia. known kremlin influential agentorganized a $39 million vote-buying scheme; According to Law enforcement agencies in Moldova. At least 138,000 Moldovans reportedly received money In some cases, payments are made through Russia's state-run Promsvyazbank, and in others, payments are made by courier. Shor and Kremlin-linked groups also distributed “incitement materials” and organized illegal rallies with voters. There is no doubt that this interference will continue or accelerate in next summer's parliamentary elections.
Meanwhile, Georgia held its first fully proportional parliamentary election on October 26th. The country's ruling Georgia Dream party is seeking a fourth consecutive term and is competing with several pro-democracy groups. The party's founder and de facto leader, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s. Reportedly still holding assets There. He then entered politics in Georgia and now works as a behind-the-scenes puppeteer. Under Ivanishvili's leadership, Georgia less freedom And it deviated from the path to EU membership.
On the other hand, the opposition orchestrated the election Georgia Dream is a “choice between Europe's future and Russia's past” Describe the contest as a choice between leadership and conflict with Russia. “We choose peace over war” Ivanishvili declared At a meeting before the vote. Russia eagerly amplified this story, blame The US is planning a “color revolution” to overthrow the Georgia Dream. Moscow too Conduct influence operations Supports the ruling party.
Georgia Dream claims it won 54 percent of the vote, but opposition parties, civil society groups and independent Western monitors say point to Widespread fraud. Massive protests ensued after the election.
Russia is taking advantage of existing economic turmoil in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus; information manipulation To show that we are a more reliable ally than the West. Modest economic support from the West will not be enough to effectively counter Moscow's influence. Western countries need to fight back in other ways.
First, the West needs to counter Russia in the information field. Western countries should conduct fact-based information operations campaigns aimed at combating Russian influence. For example, a demonstration of Western support for Moldova's path to the EU, along with continued economic cooperation, would help reduce anti-Western sentiments among ordinary Moldovans and counter Kremlin rhetoric.
Furthermore, given report Given that Russia is funneling money into Moldova to influence the referendum, the United States should assist Moldovan authorities with financial intelligence capabilities to track illicit financial flows, which could lead to next summer's elections. will help protect the country from continued manipulation by Russia.
In Georgia, the United States and its Western allies should step up support for civil society and opposition groups and insist on a fair recount of the election results. If necessary, the U.S. government should also impose further sanctions on Georgia Dream Party officials for their role in suppressing fundamental freedoms. Western countries must also help Georgia move forward with its EU accession process, subject to democratic reforms.
Moldova and Georgia are on the front lines of the fight between authoritarianism and democracy and need our support. The free world must answer their call.
Major General Mark Montgomery (retired) Cyber & Technology Innovation Center Ivana Stradner is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
