Russia is intensifying its hybrid operations in the European Union’s neighbourhood as seen from the recent election in Georgia and the referendum in Moldova, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has said.
“Russia is intensifying its hybrid operations in the EU neighbourhood. Recent parliamentary elections in Georgia and the EU referendum in Moldova are evidence of this interference,” he posted on X on Tuesday.
“The Kremlin doesn’t want Georgia and Moldova to determine their own future and does everything possible to disrupt democratic processes,” he added.
Lithuanian president also believes that it is crucial for the European Union “not to abandon the people of Georgia and Moldova”.
“We cannot let their European dream drift away. [...] Lithuania firmly stands with the people of Georgia and Moldova in their aspiration to join the EU. We believe that Moldova and Georgia belong in the European family. No one can take away their chance for a better future. Lithuania will continue to support them on this path,” he said.
The ruling Georgian Dream party won the general election in Georgia on Saturday, the country’s election watchdog announced. According to the near-final results, the Georgian Dream received 53.92 percent of the vote, while the pro-Western opposition alliance got 37.78 percent.
The pro-Western opposition parties have refused to accept the results, claiming that they were rigged in favour of the pro-Kremlin Georgian Dream party. Tens of thousands of people rallied in Tbilisi on Monday.
Meanwhile, a referendum in Moldova a few weeks ago backed the country’s EU accession by a narrow majority. Moldova's pro-European President Maia Sandu said the country had witnessed “an unprecedented assault on our country’s freedom and democracy” during the referendum overshadowed by Russia’s alleged interference and its war against Moldova’s neighbour Ukraine.
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