The leaders of France, Germany and Poland will visit Moldova on Wednesday as the EU-candidate counters Russian disinformation a month before parliamentary elections.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will travel to Moldova to celebrate the country’s independence day, the French and German offices said.
“The leaders will reaffirm their full support for Moldova’s security, sovereignty and European path,” a statement from the Elysée Palace said. Moldova declared independence on Aug. 27, 1991 in the aftermath of the break-up of the Soviet Union and was granted EU candidate status in 2022.
Moldova holds parliamentary elections on Sept. 28 and the visit by the trio stands as a warning to Russia, accused of trying to derail Chișinău’s pro-European path and influence elections in Moscow’s favor.
On Tuesday, Romanian President Nicusor Dan reaffirmed Bucharest’s commitment to neighboring Moldova, calling for support of European integration and cooperation in the transport and energy sectors, and the economy. He visited the country shortly after he was elected president in May and made an unannounced trip earlier this month.
Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also made his first foreign visit to Moldova on Aug. 23 where he met Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
Russia has been stepping up efforts to influence Moldovans living abroad across Europe, pushing disinformation and fake news, Politico reported, quoting Moldova’s national security chief, Stanislav Secrieru.
Pro-Western leader Sandu won reelection in the presidential election which was tainted by allegations of Russian interference. Moscow allegedly also targeted a simultaneous referendum on the country joining the EU, in which Moldovans narrowly voted ‘yes’
Last month, Sandu warned of ‘unprecedented election meddling’ ahead of September’s election.
Some 5,400 Ukrainian citizens fled to Romania in first seven months of the year
