海角大神

One of Ukraine鈥檚 strengths against Russia has been truth-telling 鈥� about Moscow鈥檚 real intent and covert actions, whether in cyberspace or combat zones. Last week, the country was equally forthcoming in helping Moldova, its weaker neighbor with whom it shares a 759-mile border. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia had a specific plan 鈥渢o break the democracy of Moldova and establish control over Moldova.鈥�

The next day, a Russian missile did indeed fly over Moldovan airspace. Also, Moldova鈥檚 prime minister, Natalia Gavrili葲a, and her government resigned, citing 鈥渟o many crises caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine,鈥� such as high energy prices, inflation, and an influx of refugees.

Yet Mr. Zelenskyy鈥檚 intelligence alert may have temporarily thwarted a Russian plot to control Europe鈥檚 poorest country. Moldovan President Maia Sandu quickly nominated her former defense adviser, Dorin Recean, as prime minister while praising the outgoing one. 鈥淲e have stability, peace and development, where others wanted war and bankruptcy,鈥� said the president, who has led the effort for Moldova to join the European Union.

In recent years, Moldova has made progress in providing accurate information to counter the false narratives spread in Moldova by Russia and pro-Russia oligarchs and politicians in the former Soviet state. The EU, NATO, and the United States have helped beef up Moldova鈥檚 cybersecurity and the country鈥檚 campaign against disinformation. Pro-Russia television stations have been curtailed. Pro-Russia protests last fall to oust the government failed. And this winter, Moldova has found alternative energy sources in response to Russia鈥檚 curbs on gas exports.

鈥淢oscow鈥檚 campaign against the Sandu government is a prime example of hybrid warfare,鈥� Iulian Groza of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms told Der Spiegel. 鈥淚nstead of tanks, the Russians are using energy and disinformation.鈥�

In much of Europe, Russia has used lies in an attempt to destabilize democracies, especially in the Baltic states. France has helped lead the EU effort against Russian disinformation.

鈥淲e must be driven by the desire to defend and promote access to good-quality information for the greatest number,鈥� said Catherine Colonna, France鈥檚 minister for Europe and foreign affairs.

鈥淭he first requirement is truth,鈥� she said in a speech last month. 鈥淒ialogue is possible only if it relies on a shared vision of truth, realities, and facts. But as we鈥檙e all aware, our ability to bring out this shared vision is currently the target of concerted attacks.鈥� In Moldova鈥檚 case, a bit of truth-telling by Ukraine may have saved the day.