The Biden administration on Wednesday imposed sanctions on more than 20 Moldovan and Russian individuals and entities for supporting Russian efforts to manipulate Moldova’s political system.
Moldova, like neighboring Ukraine, wants closer ties with the West but has long faced Russian interference and political intimidation. Russian-backed separatists have controlled a swath of the country since 1992, and Moldovan leaders fear that if Russia prevails in Ukraine, their country could be Moscow’s next target.
The new US sanctions are aimed at punishing Moldovans allied with Moscow who have worked to keep the country within Russian influence.
In statement, Foreign Minister Antony J. Blinken pointed out two Moldovan tycoons, Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilhan Shor. He said that Mr. Plahotniuc’s “bribery of law enforcement officials reflects his long-standing efforts to appropriate and corrupt Moldova’s judicial and law enforcement agencies, while using his influence wealth and political influence to undermine political opponents and the rule of law in the country.
Mr. Shor added, “worked with other corrupt oligarchs and Moscow-based organizations to cause political unrest in Moldova and sought to undermine Moldova’s efforts for democracy. EU candidate way”.
Mr Blinken’s statement called the two men “runaway oligarchs.” Both were famous political figures in Moldova until they involved in a massive money laundering scheme in 2014 that stole $1 billion from Moldovan banks.
Mr. Plahotniuc is a former leader of the country’s Democratic Party and a former member of parliament. Mr. Shor also leads a political party and served as mayor.
One Report of the Ministry of the Treasury Note that Mr. Shor’s wife is Sara Lvovna Shor, a Russian pop star with the stage name Jasmin, who has been honored by the President of Russia, Vladimir V. Putin.
Wednesday’s action will freeze any assets the two men have in the United States. The State Department has denied visas to Mr Plahotniuc and his immediate family members since 2020.
Blinken said the new sanctions “reaffirm the United States’ commitment to addressing corruption as a national security threat first order and promote accountability for efforts to address corruption.” system aimed at undermining Moldova’s democratic and electoral institutions.”
The Finance Ministry statement also singled out Igor Chayka, a Russian businessman who, together with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, had “developed detailed plans to weaken Moldovan President Maia Sandu and bring Moldova to life. return to Russia’s sphere of influence” ahead of Moldova’s 2021 elections.
Mr. Chayka later worked with Mr. Shor and the Socialist Party of Moldova, the statement said. In exchange for the promise of Russia’s support in the election, Chayka received support for legislation favored by the Kremlin, including a law stripping the Moldovan president of control of the country, it explained. intelligence agency of the country”.
Elections become one victory for pro-Western reformerswho had long resisted Russian influence in the former Soviet republic.
