The European Union said it is enlarging its monitoring mission in Moldova ahead of the country’s 28 September parliamentary election, a move EU officials describe as support for Chişinău in countering disinformation and external pressure. European Parliament vice-president Nicu Stefanută, speaking from a delegation visit to the Moldovan capital, urged member states to offer financial and technical assistance, arguing that safeguarding the vote is “critical” for the country’s pro-European course. Russia condemned the initiative. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Brussels of trying to secure an election outcome favorable to the West and dismissed the record of President Maia Sandu’s administration, asserting that Moldova’s economy remains afloat only because external funds cover roughly a third of the state budget. Zakharova further said the EU has followed a “self-destructive” path by tightening anti-Russia sanctions since 2014 and warned that each new restrictive package deepens the bloc’s own economic problems. Brussels has not publicly replied to the latest criticisms, but EU diplomats have repeatedly stated that their focus in Moldova is limited to election integrity and support for democratic institutions.