Chişinău, 2 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to visit Moldova on Wednesday, pledging European support as the country faces ongoing Russian influence efforts ahead of its parliamentary elections later this year.

Baerbock is scheduled to meet Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean in the capital, Chişinău, with energy supply issues expected to be a key focus.

Moldova, a former Soviet republic and heavily reliant on Russian gas, remains one of Europe's poorest countries and is divided between pro-European and pro-Russian factions.

Speaking ahead of her visit, Baerbock criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for trying to undermine Moldova's democracy through disinformation, fake news campaigns and vote-buying.

She described Moldova's democracy as resilient and said a future in the EU was within reach, while reaffirming that European support for the country would remain strong.

With European and German assistance, Moldova has stabilized its economy, resisted Russia's hybrid attacks and brought inflation and the energy crisis under control, she added.

The country, home to about 2.5 million people, has been an EU candidate since 2022, alongside Ukraine.

MIA file photo