“In recent months, the U.S. government, Moldovan President Sandu, the Moldovan security services, and other allies and partners have warned that Russia is seeking to undermine Moldovan democratic institutions in the lead-up to the presidential election and referendum on Moldova’s EU membership.

Moldova's citizens vote on Sunday in a presidential election and an EU referendum that come at a pivotal moment in the tussle between Russia and the West for the future of the poor, landlocked southeast European nation of under 3 million people.

Long torn over closer ties with the European Union or maintaining Soviet-era relations with Moscow, Moldova faces a decisive choice in Sunday's presidential elections held under the shadow of war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Russia is seeking to undermine Moldova's upcoming presidential election and has spent millions of dollars on its efforts to do so, the White House said Tuesday.

The Kremlin is desperate to return Moldova to its sphere of influence, but its meddling is no longer working.