Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on Russia’s role in escalating tensions in the Republic of Moldova, which took place at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 27 April 2023.

We were aware of the debate in April and were pleased that the Parliamentary Assembly considered this important issue. The UK resolutely supports Moldova in the face of Russian aggression and disinformation. On 16 March, the Foreign Secretary met Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu in Chisinau. He reiterated the UK's steadfast support for sovereign Moldova as it pursues a path of freedom and independence. He also committed a further £10 million of support towards economic and governance reforms. This is in addition to £12 million over three years pledged in 2022 to build a stronger, more resilient Moldova, through our work on anti-corruption, counter-disinformation and reform. On 9 December 2022, the UK sanctioned two Moldovans, Mr Ilan Shor and Mr Vladimir Plahotniuc under its Global Anti-Corruption regime.