News analysis Moldova defies Russian interference with vote to join EU

Moscow failed because Moldovans living abroad voted in favour of EU membership

- Jonathan Eyal

BRUSSELS Russia has suffered a strategic defeat after the people of Moldova, a former Soviet republic neighbouring Ukraine, narrowly voted to join the European Union, defying a noisy Russian campaign against such a decision.

With all the votes in the Oct 20 Moldovan referendum now counted, the "yes to EU" camp won by a slender majority of 50.4 per cent, with 49.6 per cent casting ballots in opposition to the move.

The pro-Europe camp prevailed by a mere 13,000 votes in the 2.6 million-strong nation.

Yet both the Moldovan government and its Western backers reject the idea that this razor-thin result is emblematic of a nation that is sharply divided about its future strategic direction.

Instead, they argue that the decision to seek EU membership passed with such a tiny majority only because Russia conducted an illegal vote-buying campaign to ensure that Moldova remained outside the EU and ultimately languished in a Russian sphere of influence.

In her first official reaction after the referendum results were counted, Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced what she called "an unprecedented attack on democracy" in her country.

"Criminal groups, acting in concert with foreign forces hostile to our national interests, have attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies and propaganda" to "trap our country in uncertainty and instability", the pro-West Ms Sandu told journalists on Oct 21 at a press conference held in Chisinau, the capital.

The United States offered Ms Sandu strong support, saying that Russia failed to undermine the elections in Moldova despite working energetically to do so.

"Democracy is strong in Moldova, as is the will of the Moldovan people to move towards European integration," said Mr John Kirby, the US National Security Council spokesman.

The EU adopted a similar stance.