US Concerns Over Russian Interference in Romania

The U.S. has raised alarms over alleged Russian interference in Romania's presidential election, following intelligence reports detailing a coordinated online campaign promoting pro-Russia candidate Calin Georgescu. The Romanian security council revealed that Georgescu's campaign utilized social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to gain significant traction, alongside over 85,000 cyberattacks aimed at manipulating election-related data. In response, the Russian Embassy in Bucharest strongly condemned U.S. accusations, labeling them as unfounded and asserting that Russia does not interfere in the electoral processes of other nations. U.S. officials emphasized the importance of protecting Romania's sovereignty and its alignment with NATO, warning that foreign interference could jeopardize U.S. investments in the country. The situation has heightened concerns among lawmakers, who advocate for vigilance as the country heads into its runoff election. The European Commission has also intervened, ordering TikTok to preserve data linked to these electoral processes to mitigate risks.