Moldova wants to join the European Union “as soon as possible” to protect itself from Russia, says its president

Moldova wants to enter “as soon as possible” in the European Union to protect themselves from the Russian threat. “We believe that we can only save our democracy by being part of the EU”declared Maia Sandu, president of the country, in an interview with AFP, made public Thursday, May 18.

In power since 2020, the leader of Europe’s poorest country called for a large pro-EU rally on Sunday intended to show Moldovan support for membership. “The war in Ukraine has put things in black and white: it is very clear now what the free world means and what the authoritarian world means for all of us”said Maia Sandu.

Coup charge

In Moldova, an entire region, Transdniestria, is de facto under Russian control. In February, the Head of State had already accused Russia of fomenting a coup to overthrow the power in place in Chisinau.

The invasion of Ukraine reawakened the hitherto highly improbable hypothesis of Kyiv and Chisinau joining in the medium term. The EU granted Ukraine official candidate status in June 2022 but is calling for further reforms, including anti-corruption. While Moldova, bordering EU member Romania, would undoubtedly be easier to integrate because of its size, many obstacles remain to its entry into the Union, suggesting that the process which the process could at least last until the 2030s.