Maia Sandu warns that the Kremlin wants to transform Chisinau “into a corridor of influence” against Kiev
The leader from Chisinau, Maia Sandu, stressed that Russia “wants to turn Moldova into an influence corridor and use it against Ukraine along a border of over 1,200 kilometers”, the longest one with neighboring states, a warning made at the PPE Congress.
Maia Sandu participated in the PPE Congress in the Spanish city of Valencia. Photo: President.md
In the margin of the Congress of the European People's Party (PPE), the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said that Russia intensified its hybrid war against Chisinau, carried in various forms, including the purchase of votes, cyber attacks and misinformation in the context of the pro-EU referendum and the presidential elections of 2024.
Chisinau's safety due to the resistance of the Ukrainian people
This year, in which parliamentary elections are scheduled that will decide whether the country will continue on the European path or fall prey to foreign influence, Kremlin's goals remain unchanged.
“She wants to turn Moldova into an influence corridor and use it against Ukraine-along a border of over 1,200 kilometers, the longest that Ukraine has with any of the neighboring countries. This is the reality we face-but Moldova has made its choice. We are with the free world, working every day to remain anchored on the correct side of history. Today, Moldova is safe due to the resistance of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine protects not only Moldova, but the whole of Europe and the international order. Therefore, Ukraine needs even more military, economic and moral support ”, mentioned the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
Maia Sandu reiterated that threats to the Republic of Moldova are similar to those concerning the whole of Europe.
“Therefore, in order to remain strong, agile and resilient, Europe must reform-to protect the hope of peace, to defend its democracies (because peace without democracy is transient) and to treat extension as a strategic investment,” said the leader from Chisinau.
Accession for a stronger Europe
The president of the neighboring country has emphasized that both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine must adhere to the Union.
“Moldova and Ukraine must adhere to the European Union not only because we belong to the European family, but because Europe will become stronger, safer and more united by accepting those who fight for its values. The time has come to prove that Europe rewards courage through action. Moldova, Ukraine and the Balkans work hard. Together, under the leadership of the PPE, to find our natural place: at home, in the European Union ”, concluded Maia Sandu.
During the event held in the Spanish city of Valencia, the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, had meetings with several European leaders, including Christian Stocker, the Chancellor of Austria, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece, and Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Separate negotiations
The European Union could decide this summer to advance in the accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova separated from Ukraine, signaling an important modification of strategy in the policy of expanding the community block. The announcement was made by the European Commissioner for Extension, Marta Kos, in an interview with Free Europe during an official visit to Prague
The Republic of Moldova filed the request for accession to the European Union on March 3, 2022, more than a week from the beginning of the War in Ukraine. Chisinau obtained the status of country candidate for the Union in July of the same year, at the same time as Kiev.
On June 15, 2024, the ambassadors of the 27 Member States of the European Union gave the “principle agreement” for opening the accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, the announcement being made by the Belgian presidency of the EU Council.
However, at the negotiating table, the two countries go separate, the negotiations themselves being individual and can take long, their duration varying according to several aspects.
