Moldovan Minister: 鈥淲e are a constant target鈥�
Mihai Pop葯oi says Moldova鈥檚 public institutions are regularly targeted by Russian hackers
Moldova鈥檚 Deputy Prime Minister has spoken of his country鈥檚 efforts to bolster defences against cyber warfare despite its 鈥渕odest capabilities鈥�.
鈥淲e are a constant target of Russian attacks on our infrastructure, not just the public broadcaster, but also the post office and government institutions are regularly targeted by hackers which experts attribute to Russia鈥�, he said.
Speaking to HARDtalk鈥檚 Stephen Sackur, Mr Pop葯oi, who also serves as the country鈥檚 foreign minister, said his country has recently identified Russia as its main security threat, and had committed to reaching a target of 1% of GDP spent on defence, 鈥渨hich is a big jump to what historically was the investment in Moldova鈥�.
鈥淥ur predecessors, many of whom have been pro-Russian, had no incentive to invest in defence; they actually had all the incentives to maintain Moldova鈥檚 vulnerability,鈥� he added.
Mr Pop葯oi has been Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Moldova since February 2024, after his predecessor Nicu Popescu resigned. Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, the former Soviet country is scheduled to hold presidential elections in October 2024. A referendum on Moldova鈥檚 bid to join the European Union will be held on the same day.
