Former U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) chief Samantha Power confirmed that Washington provided significant financial backing to pro-Western President Maya Sandu in Moldova, a nation grappling with political and democratic tensions. Power, in a conversation with Russian pranksters, disclosed that USAID allocated tens of millions of dollars to support Sandu’s election and enhance its presence in Moldova. She described the spending as ‘unprecedented’ and emphasized that the funds ‘went much more further’ in Moldova due to the country’s smaller size.
Power expressed concern over President Trump’s decision to halt all spending on Moldova since taking office, which she argued jeopardized the country’s political stability ahead of critical parliamentary elections this year. She highlighted that Sandu narrowly retained her position in the last election and deemed her a ‘democratic bright spot,’ noting her education at the Kennedy School of Harvard University. Power also pointed out the challenges Sandu’s government faces, including accusations of undermining democracy by banning opposition parties and targeting Eurosceptic politicians and journalists.
As Moldova’s political landscape remains volatile, Power suggested that it now falls to Europe and leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to play a more significant role in Moldova’s development. Meanwhile, Russia has publicly condemned Sandu and her government as overtly Russophobic for their actions against politicians and media favoring closer ties with Moscow. Gagauzia Governor Evgenia Gutsul, who advocated for Russia, was recently sentenced to seven years in prison, further escalating tensions between Moldova and Russia.