Moldova Is the Regional Leader in U.S. Assistance to Combat Russian Influence

Moldova was the largest beneficiary of U.S. assistance from 2017-2021 as part of a regional program to combat Russian influence. According to a U.S. State Department Office of Inspector General report on the administration of the Countering Russian Influence Fund (CRIF), the United States spent more than $1.02 billion from 2017-2021 to “fund civil society and other organizations for rule of law, media, cyber and other programs that strengthen democratic institutions and processes and counter Russian influence and aggression,” writes mold-street.com The report shows that 29 countries in Europe and Asia, including EU and NATO member states, benefited from U.S. aid. The largest beneficiary of this aid was Moldova with the amount of 98.17 million dollars, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina – 80.85 million dollars, Latvia – 73.38 million, Northern Macedonia – 67.47 million, Romania – 66.15 million dollars, Lithuania – 64.1 million, Kosovo – 61.16 million and Serbia – 55.57 million dollars. It is worth mentioning that in the case of Moldova, the programme helped the country increase the accountability and transparency of the justice system, support the National Institute of Justice in terms of ethical and professional standards and develop the capacity to investigate and prosecute corruption and transnational organized crime. In addition, the program supported court reorganization, improved case management, and supported the Inspectorate General of Police and the Criminal Investigation Service.