Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on the first round of presidential elections and the constitutional referendum in Moldova

On October 20, Moldova held the first round of its presidential elections alongside a constitutional referendum regarding the Republic's integration into the European Union.

The election campaign was executed by the Moldovan authorities employing anti-democratic, totalitarian methods. Unable to compete equitably with political opponents, the Moldovan leadership extensively utilised administrative resources and enacted repressive measures against opposition politicians and independent media.

This policy was vindicated by the alleged necessity to counter the non-existent "destructive influence of Russia." Our country was baselessly accused of interfering in Moldova's internal affairs and attempting to sway the will of the Republic's citizens. The culmination of the extensive anti-Russian campaign initiated by Chisinau was the decision to open, under a pretext, only two polling stations in Russia, where, according to various estimates, between 300,000 and 500,000 Moldovan citizens reside. In contrast, approximately two hundred polling stations were established in the United States and Western Europe.

This occurred amidst blatant interference from the West in Moldova's electoral process. Politicians from EU member states, during their frequent visits to Chisinau, openly campaigned in favour of the current Moldovan leadership and its so-called European project.

International monitoring bodies and observers have yet to evaluate the voting outcomes. Concurrently, media reports have already highlighted numerous violations and falsifications by the authorities, including organised "bussing in" voters to polling stations in Western European countries.

Even the observation mission of the biased OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in its interim report and preliminary findings, could not remain silent about the unfavourable conditions in the pre-election period and during the voting.

Based on the current vote count, it can be concluded that the results are disappointing for the Moldovan leadership and their Western sponsors. The country's integration project into the European Union, as promoted by them, did not receive unequivocal support. The majority of citizens residing in the Republic itself effectively rejected it. A narrow margin was achieved through the maximum mobilisation of voters residing in Western Europe and North America and the unprecedented restriction of voting opportunities in Russia. The same applies to the distribution of votes received by the incumbent head of state.

The voting dynamics in the referendum are also noteworthy. Upon processing 42.5 percent of the ballots, only 44.07 percent of voters supported the idea of joining the EU, while 55.93 percent opposed it. When 71.25 percent of the ballots were processed, the gap persisted: 44.68 percent in favour and 55.32 percent against. Subsequently, and inexplicably for many Moldovans, the gap began to narrow, and after processing 99 percent of the ballots, the result was 50.3 percent in favour and 49.7 percent against.

It is also essential to consider that many Moldovan citizens chose not to participate in the referendum, thereby refusing to endorse the discredited project of "European Moldova."

The Moldovan populace perceives the underlying realities behind the facade of Moldova's proposed membership in the European Union and comprehends the true intentions of the West concerning their nation. The ultimate objective appears to be transforming the Republic into a Russophobic NATO appendage, stripped of its sovereignty, eradicating the national identity of Moldovans, including their language, culture, and history, imposing neoliberal values alien to Moldovan society, and severing ties with Russia entirely. The people of Moldova have expressed their rejection of this path.

From our side, we have consistently respected the choices made by the Moldovan people and advocated for the preservation and enhancement of ties with the friendly citizens of Moldova.