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.

Moldova’s gravitation toward the West has increased in recent years, with the war in Ukraine raging just across the border. Officials warn that Russian intelligence is actively trying to disrupt the EU membership referendum, as well as a simultaneous election in which President Maia Sandu is seeking a second term.

The European Union on Monday blacklisted five Moldovan pro-Russia politicians and one non-governmental organization promoting the Kremlin's destabilizing activities in the vulnerable former Soviet nation.

Here are the five things about Moldova the ex-Soviet country of 2.6 million people, as it is going to hold presidential elections and polls to join the European Union

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.

Moldova is emerging as a major strategic battleground in a fierce competition between Russia and the west. A Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign has intensified over the last few months, in the run-up to Moldova’s presidential elections.