Moldova's pivotal elections: A frontline for Europe
Moldova is heading for its "most important elections" in history, as they could mark "a frontline in the battle for Europe," stated President Maia Sandu during her speech at the Ukraine - Southeast Europe Summit, held Wednesday in Odessa under maximum security conditions.
Maia Sandu emphasized that while Russia wages "a brutal war" on Ukrainian territory, it attacks other states in the region "with hybrid weapons: lies, manipulation, blackmail, infiltration into our political systems." She warned that by undermining democracies, Russia aims to install leaders who will no longer stand with Ukraine.
"Russia wants a Moldova that moves away from Ukraine and the European Union – even worse, it wants to use Moldova against Ukraine and the EU. We cannot allow this. Moldova contributes because we understand what is at stake. We know that Ukraine's security is Moldova's security. That's why we've trained over 160 Ukrainian sappers. We host over 100,000 refugees. We've facilitated grain transit to support Ukraine's economy and donated energy equipment to help restore your infrastructure. We are investing in roads, railways, and bridges so that one day they can support reconstruction," the president listed.
Maia Sandu in Odessa: "If Ukraine falls, Russia will not stop in Moldova"
According to Maia Sandu, economic resilience is part of Moldova's defense.
"We must cut Russia's coercive levers – stop illegal money flows, strengthen energy cooperation, and jointly build cyber defense," the head of state emphasized.
Regarding Moldova's parliamentary elections, set for September 28 this year, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the summit that "if Europe loses Moldova" this year, Russia "will be emboldened to intervene even further" in other states to seize their "resources, sovereignty, and even history."
Zelenskyy warns of risks to Europe and calls for consolidated support for Ukraine and Moldova in the face of Russian threats
"Therefore, support for a European Moldova is an extremely important task for all of us. The same goes for Ukraine," Zelenskyy declared.
Notably, the Odessa meeting was attended by 11 heads of state, government, or parliamentary leaders from Romania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Greece.
On the sidelines of the summit, a trilateral meeting took place between Romania, Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, where the leaders of the three states – Nicușor Dan, Maia Sandu, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy – discussed the most important interconnection projects, especially energy infrastructure, the process of accession to the European Union, and cooperation on security assurance.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
