Embedded Files
Vienna Dialogue 2025: Moldova’s democratic resilience against hybrid warfare
Vienna Dialogue 2025: Moldova’s democratic resilience against hybrid warfare
This high-level strategic event will bring together Moldovan and Austria based stakeholders to reflect on Moldova’s successful defense of its September 28, 2025, Parliamentary elections, despite an unprecedented russian disinformation and interference campaign.
Building on Moldova4EU’s previous dialogues, this event will demonstrate how Moldova, with support from civil society, independent institutions, diaspora, and international partners, not only withstood hybrid warfare but reinforced its democratic path and European integration agenda.
With a keynote by former Pamela Hyde Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova (2001-2003), expert presentations from Moldovan experts and practitioners, and an interactive roadmap workshop, the Vienna Dialogue 2025 aims to shift the European conversation: from protecting Moldova to partnering with Moldova as a model of frontline democratic resilience.
Context: Moldova’s parliamentary elections of 28 September 2025 unfolded in a climate of intense external pressure and hybrid interference. Independent investigations and official statements reveal that the kremlin allocated vast resources—estimated at €150–200 million, or roughly 1% of Moldova’s GDP—to sway the outcome of the vote. These funds were funneled through illicit networks, including cryptocurrency channels, and used to bankroll pro-russian parties, finance large-scale vote-buying schemes, sustain disinformation campaigns, and orchestrate provocations aimed at destabilizing the electoral process.
While the exact figures vary, with some reports suggesting even higher amounts, all credible sources point to unprecedented foreign spending in Moldova’s democratic process. The scale of this interference underscores both the strategic importance of Moldova for russia and the resilience of Moldovan institutions and society in the face of external pressure. The elections took place against the backdrop of the country’s fragile geopolitical position, its EU accession path, and ongoing russian attempts to weaken regional stability.
Despite these massive challenges, Moldovans defended their democratic choice.
The pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), founded by President Maia Sandu, secured ≈ 50.2% of the vote and 55 out of 101 seats, retaining an outright majority. By contrast, the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, backed by moscow, won ≈ 24.2% and 26 seats. Smaller parties—the Alternative Bloc (8 seats), Our Party (6 seats), and Democracy at Home (6 seats)—also entered parliament. Turnout reached ≈ 52.2%.
In the face of vast external spending, Moldovans secured their country’s European path through civic courage and determination. The struggle is not over: the kremlin’s propaganda machine will persist, and Moldova’s resilience remains closely tied to Ukraine’s capacity to resist and ultimately break russian aggression.
This is why the Vienna Dialogue 2025 will focus on exchanging know-how, strengthening partnerships, and building collective strategies to defend democracy in Moldova and in the region.
Proposed tentative agenda
Proposed tentative agenda
9:00 - 9:15 Welcoming Remarks.
9:15 - 9:30 Keynote Address: Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith
Ambassador Smith will reflect on Moldova’s democratic journey, recalling her early 2000s experience engaging with a communist government and helping steer the country toward Europe. She will highlight how diplomacy, persistence, and principled engagement can strengthen democracy against russian influence and ongoing geopolitical pressures.
9:30 - 9:45 Keynote Address: Austrian counterparts
9:45 - 11:15 Tools of Hybrid Warfare and how Moldova fights back
A panel of experts will examine the tools and tactics of modern hybrid warfare, with a focus on russian disinformation campaigns targeting Moldova and the responses developed by Moldovan institutions and stakeholders. The session will bring together representatives of public institutions, civil society, the diaspora, media, and development partners to share insights on how these challenges were addressed and what lessons can be drawn for the future both for Moldova and Austrian stakeholders.
11:15 - 11:45 Coffee Break & Networking
11:45 - 12:45 Session 2: Interactive Workshop: Building a Shield for Democracy: Facilitated breakout groups will brainstorm and develop actionable strategies for countering continued disinformation and strengthening democratic resilience in Moldova and in the region. The role of EU partners in these processes.
12:45 - 13:00 Closing Remarks
A summary of the workshop's findings will be presented, followed by a call to action for continued collaboration.
13:00 - 14:00 Networking lunch
Logistical Details
📍 The meeting venue will be communicated closer to the event date. The names of the speakers will be communicated as we start having confirmations.
📝 Registration: As participation is limited to a maximum of 35–40 participants, we kindly encourage early registration.
Please complete the following Registration Form to 🎟️ secure your seat: https://forms.gle/uauwMpiCAzwXPd779
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse