Despite what she claimed were Russian efforts to destabilize her nation, President Maia Sandu said on Friday that she saw no risk of war in Moldova while Russia is engaged in conflict in Ukraine.
In an address to the legislature, Sandu gave the Moldovan people a call to arms, praising Ukraine for standing up to Russia since Moscow’s invasion more than a year ago and urging them to support the former Soviet republic’s EU application.
“There is no danger of war coming to Moldova while Ukraine is fighting,” Sandu told parliament.
“I want to reassure our citizens that Moldova is not now in any danger of war. The Russian army cannot get here while Ukraine holds out – and (thus) protects Moldova. We are grateful to Ukrainians for their bravery and love of freedom.”
Moldova, a small country of 2.6 million people wedged between Ukraine and Romania, faces numerous problems – including an energy crisis, rising poverty and social tensions – that have been aggravated by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Sandu repeated accusations, denied by Moscow, that Russia wants to destabilize Moldova.
She said Russia, which has troops based in Moldova’s breakaway Transdniestria region, would continue trying to destabilize her country “from within” and praised law enforcement agencies for blocking attempts to sow chaos.
In recent weeks, Moldovan authorities have arrested several alleged pro-Russian activists who they said were trying to enter the country. There have also been several protests organized by a pro-Russian party in the capital, Chisinau.
“As long as I am president, Moldova will hold out,” said Sandu, who became president in 2020.
“In 2030 Moldova should become a member of the European Union,” she said. “I urge all political forces to put EU accession above all interests and to support this movement unconditionally.”