The results from Moldova's knife-edge EU referendum in favour of the country joining the block deals a blow to Russian President Putin.

A knife-edge margin of 50.09% voted "yes" in Moldova's pivotal referendum on joining the European Union, partial results showed on Monday, after President Maia Sandu said Sunday's twin votes had been marred by "unprecedented" outside interference.

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Sunday's vote sees Moldovans facing a choice between pushing on with EU membership or keeping close ties to Russia.

Incumbent president Maia Sandu claims foreign forces hostile to Moldova had to tried to influence the election

Nearly 95% of votes were counted in the EU referendum that asks voters to choose whether to enshrine in the country's constitution a path toward the EU. About 52% of a total 1.2 million ballots voted "no,