Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Western countries of following an “unconscionable approach” in their attempts to influence political situations in other countries.

Zakharova pointed to increasing Western pressure to delete channels on the Telegram app ahead of the parliamentary elections in Moldova.

In a statement to the Russian news agency TASS, Zakharova said, “When the West decides to destroy a country, it does not hesitate to use all means, without any moral restraint.”

Her remarks came in response to revelations by Telegram founder Pavel Durov about a previous French request to delete some Moldovan channels on the platform, a request Telegram’s management refused.

Durov explained that French intelligence contacted the Telegram team “about a year ago,” requesting the deletion of Moldovan channels before the elections, alleging they threatened electoral integrity, but the request was rejected.

This controversy coincides with Moldova’s parliamentary elections taking place this week amid expectations of a decline in the ruling “Action and Solidarity” party’s influence, potentially leading to the formation of a new coalition government, according to polls.

Moscow views these Western interventions as a clear attempt to influence the electoral process in countries with fragile political systems or located on geopolitical fault lines.

Zakharova’s statements are part of a Russian narrative accusing the West of using technology tools and freedom of expression as means of political interference, especially in former Soviet republics such as Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia.

These statements come amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West over intertwined issues related to the Ukrainian crisis, NATO expansion, cybersecurity, and information control.