Canada has imposed sanctions on more Moldovan citizens linked to Russian influence in the Eastern European country.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that nine individuals and six television stations have been added to the list of Russian collaborators in Moldova.

Among those sanctioned are influential individuals who are part of the Şor party, on which Canada had already imposed sanctions in June for activities undermining democracy in Moldova.

Moldovan authorities also suspended broadcasts from the six targeted stations, stating they were disseminating misleading information from Russia to justify Moscow's large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions come at a time when Moldova, a modern democratic country with a pro-Western government, is struggling to coordinate international support.

Furthermore, its government said in February that Russia-backed elements attempted to orchestrate a coup in the country bordering Ukraine.