The EU is damaging its own sanctions regime - Andrian Candu

Moldova, like our European friends and allies across the EU, and particularly amongst the other frontline democracies, have been very vocal in support of tough sanctions against Russia and those who support their illicit war against Ukraine. But in order for a sanctions regime to have credibility and impact, it cannot and should not be weaponized by those who use it to take out competitors, to settle private scores, or for extortion.

This was stated in his open letter by the former Deputy Prime Minister and Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova, Andrian Candu.

As the former Deputy Prime Minister and Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact that misinformation and manipulation can have on both individuals and nations. 

Allowing innocent victims of dirty tricks campaigns to be sanctioned merely because bad actors have successfully planted fake news stories puts the integrity of sanctions at risk. And that is a risk we in Europe cannot afford to take.  

As the former leader of a frontline democracy, I am shocked that my EU colleagues have allowed a defamation and misinformation campaign to take hold in their decision-making process. This is an age when false narratives are created to sow division and chaos, we must tread carefully when making decisions that can profoundly affect lives and reputations. We must be vigorous in our due diligence and investigations of any person or entity recommended for sanctions—and not merely base decisions on fake news so artfully planted for that very purpose. 

I am publishing this open letter and call to action following the sanctioning by the European Union of Mr. Niels Troost, a Dutch citizen and businessman who has played a pivotal role in facilitating critical grain exports from Ukraine during the Russian invasion and who has personally provided significant financial and material support to Ukraine (doing so discretely because he is not a cynical person or one who seeks acknowledgement of his good works). 

In this case, the accusations against Mr. Troost stem from just such a dirty tricks campaign. An intense and sustained campaign targeting Mr. Troost has tarnished his reputation through attacks against him and his family in the media and through other means, including influence peddling by people with distinct knowledge of the sanctions process and who are people known to those responsible for making such an incredibly serious decision as sanctioning a person. This campaign has been highlighted recently by the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and others who have investigated the circumstances that have moved me to speak out. 

Sanctions are a powerful tool that must be reserved for those who genuinely threaten the principles and security of our union. To sanction a man who has been a steadfast ally of Ukraine, based on unverified claims and fake news, is a grave miscarriage of justice but also undermines the credibility and moral authority of the sanctions regime. Such an error is sending the wrong signal to those who stand in solidarity with Ukraine during its darkest hour. We are a Union that is supposed to stand up for human rights and the rule of law! Why have so many turned their backs on those pillars when it came to Niels Troost. 

I respectfully urge the Council of the European Union to reconsider their decision immediately for the sake of sanctions integrity and to protect the reliability and the principles of fairness that is associated with the European Union. Don’t let unfair influence and lies to betray all the good the EU stands for and all that it holds sacred. 

For reference: Andrian Candu is a Moldovan politician, best known for his role as the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova from 2015 to 2019 and as Minister of Economy of Moldova from 2014 to 2015. He is a prominent figure in Moldovan politics who started his career in PWC. Andrian Candu now assists business and companies willing to operate in Eastern Europe.