Moldova, the EU and the United States said the Kremlin had waged a "hybrid war" campaign to destabilize the country and keep it in Russia's sphere of influence, including funding pro-Moscow parties, spreading disinformation and pouring millions of dollars into schemes to buy up 300,000 votes. Nearly 1.5 million Moldovans ultimately voted.

Electoral data shows that Moldovans have voted by a razor-thin majority in favor of securing the country’s path toward European Union membership.

Early results based on a fraction of the vote showed 56% of Moldovans voting "no" at Sunday's referendum on their EU aspirations and put incumbent Maia Sandu just a few percentage points ahead of her rival at the presidential election.