The leaders of France, Germany and Poland all expressed their support for Moldova's EU bid on Wednesday, August 27, slamming Russian "lies" and "hybrid attacks" during a symbolic visit to the former Soviet republic bordering Ukraine. The visit comes a day before campaigning starts for next month's tense parliamentary election amid claims of Russian interference in the pro-EU nation.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met Moldova's President Maia Sandu to celebrate the country's 34th independence day as she pushes for EU membership.
"The Kremlin's propaganda tells us that Europeans want to prolong the war and that the European Union oppresses people. These are lies. Unlike Russia, the European Union threatens no one and respects everyone's sovereignty," Macron told reporters alongside Merz, Tusk and Sandu, expressing France's "determined support" to Moldova and its EU bid.
Merz said the "door to the European Union is open," adding the country would be "wholeheartedly welcome in the European Union" and that Berlin would "do all we can to open the first chapter of negotiations in the autumn." "Ahead of the parliamentary election here, not a day goes by without massive Russian hybrid attacks," he said, adding Moldova's "democracy is in the crosshairs, online and offline."
Sandu hailed the visit, vowing there is "no alternative to Europe" for Moldova as "our independence, our sovereignty, our peace are tested more than ever." "Your presence here – France, Germany, Poland – shows not only your support for Moldova, but that the European project is alive, and that we are part of it," she said.
Sandu and her European allies have repeatedly accused Moscow of attempts to destabilize the country of 2.6 million that lies between war-torn Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania. "These are immense pressures. But it is up to us whether they divide us or stop us on our path," she said.
A vocal critic of Russia, in particular since the start of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Sandu has been steering Moldova through official EU accession talks that started in June 2024. Later Wednesday, the three EU leaders will also give speeches during the official independence day celebrations held on Chisinau's Independence Square, with a concert also taking place.
Sandu, re-elected for a second term in 2024, last month accused Russia of "preparing an unprecedented interference in the September elections" to "control Moldova from the fall." The interference includes vote buying and illicit financing through cryptocurrencies for which "100 million euros" have been earmarked, Sandu has alleged.