The Council of the European Union on 15 June 2026 imposed restrictive measures on six individuals accused of destabilising the Republic of Moldova, including leaders of successor entities to the outlawed ȘOR party and Russian nationals involved in election interference. The listings target Irina Vlah, leader of the Inima Moldovei Party, for organising a paid election rally in July 2025 and coordinating with Russian officials in Moscow ahead of the September 2025 parliamentary elections. Also sanctioned are Anton Tregub, a Russian curator for the Moldova Mare political party, and Anton Usov, who infiltrated church structures to mobilise priests and collect personal data during religious events. The EU asset freeze and travel ban now apply to a total of 29 individuals and five entities under the Moldova sanctions regime.
The decision builds on the EU's sanctions framework first introduced in April 2023 at Moldova's request, allowing the EU to target those undermining the country's sovereignty, democracy, or stability. The European Council, in its conclusions of 23 October 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to support Moldova's resilience against destabilising activities by Russia and its proxies. Since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, efforts to destabilise Moldova have intensified, posing a direct threat to the security of the EU's external borders.
The legal acts, Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1357 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1358, were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 15 June 2026.