Tusk hails Moldovan election victory as blow to Russian influence

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hailed Moldova’s parliamentary elections as a “victory for democracy” and a major setback for Russian attempts to assert control over the region.

In remarks posted on social media platform X, Tusk praised the “real courage” shown by both the Moldovan people and President Maia Sandu, saying their determination "not only safeguarded the country’s democratic course but also reaffirmed its European trajectory," Caliber.Az reports.

It took real courage of the Moldovan nation and Maia Sandu personally to win this election. Not only did you save democracy and kept the European course, but you have also stopped Russia in its attempts to take control over the whole region. A good lesson for us all.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 29, 2025

The comments come after preliminary results from the September 28 vote showed Sandu’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) securing a commanding lead, with 50% of the vote and most ballots counted. The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc trailed significantly with less than 25% support.

President Sandu had warned of “massive Russian interference” during the election, stressing that the country’s sovereignty and democratic future were on the line. 

By Sabina Mammadli