EU imposes sanctions on 7 people for ‘attempts to destabilize’ Moldova

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) - The EU imposed sanctions on seven people for what it called attempts to destabilize and undermine the sovereignty of Moldova, the Council of the EU announced late Tuesday.

“The sanctioned individuals are politicians and businessmen with Moldovan or Russian nationality that have engaged in destabilising activities,” the council said in a statement.

The measures were adopted under the EU’s sanctions regime targeting those responsible for the war in Ukraine and the recently established framework for Moldova.

The package aims to address “attempts to destabilize” Moldova and “the involvement of some Moldovan nationals in efforts to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine by supporting Russia’s war of aggression,” the statement said.

The measures hit businessmen or politicians who were either involved in the so-called “Bank Fraud” case that “resulted in huge losses for the Moldovan budget” or “efforts orchestrated by the Kremlin to destabilize Moldova through for instance the planning of violent demonstrations, financial misconduct,” it added.

“Moldova is one of the countries most affected by the fallout of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

He vowed continued support for the neighboring Moldova against the “serious, increased and continued attempts to destabilize the country.”