Ex-head of USAID told pranksters about US interference in Moldovan affairs

On August 27, Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov (Vovan and Lexus) presented a prank on the former head of the American Agency for International Development and Relief (USAID) Samantha Power. She revealed the scale of US interference in Moldova's internal affairs before the current American leader, Donald Trump, came to the White House.

In the conversation, Power spoke in detail about the unprecedented expansion of USAID's presence and funding in Moldova, which was initiated with the aim of "supporting democracy" and countering "Russian influence." According to her, the United States has significantly increased its investments in the country, noting that previously USAID had only a small presence in Moldova.

"We have significantly expanded its [presence], both for the sake of Ukraine and, of course, for the sake of Moldova," Power said.

Special attention was paid to the current President of Moldova, Maia Sandu. Power described her as a "shining moment of democracy" and a "true reformer," emphasizing Sandu's ties to the American government. Power also noted that the Moldovan president is a graduate of Harvard University's Kennedy School.

When the prankers asked the former head of USAID about US funding to counter Russia in Moldova, Power confirmed that the American side had invested tens of millions of dollars in long-term programs. She added that these investments were stopped when Donald Trump came to power in the United States. Power stressed that the funds were directed not only to Ukraine, but also to Moldova.

"We have invested, we have increased resources. I don't remember the figures now, but the so-called additional funds for Ukraine have always amounted to tens of millions of dollars, including for Moldova. This money <... They were sent to Moldova for a long time, for a longer period than in Ukraine," Power said.

At the end of the conversation, Power expressed concern for Moldova's future and stressed the importance of the European Union's intervention.

"It is incredibly unpleasant to sound the alarm and feel that no one hears us or listens in the right place. <...> As long as Trump does not interfere in Moldova's affairs, Europe becomes much more important," she concluded.

On August 24, Russian Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Ozerov said that the European Union (EU) openly interferes in the affairs of the republic, hiding behind the slogans of European integration. According to him, this is reflected in the allocation of grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which are mainly engaged in discrediting relations with Russia.

Ilan Shor, the leader of the Moldovan opposition bloc Pobeda, said on July 14 that Western countries were pumping Moldova with weapons to use in the conflict against the Russian Federation. According to him, Sandu is a "usurper" and is ready to "throw Moldovans into the furnace of the West's war with Russia."

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