Moldova’s President Maia Sandu will make an official visit to Romania on Friday amid fears that the tiny country will be invaded by Russia.
The visit comes a month after the European Union made a historic decision to grant it and Ukraine candidate status.
But it also comes at a time of great uncertainity for the nation of 3 million.
Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said this weekend the country was ‘very worried’ by the prospect of a Russian invasion.
Romania and Moldova who leaders share a pro-Western vision have good relations and Ms Sandu’s first meeting is with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, a strong supporter of Moldova’s pro-Western trajectory.
The two leaders will hold talks at the the Cotroceni presidential palace on Friday morning.
Moldova was part of the Soviet Union until 1991. Since the war in Ukraine began, it has sheltered around half a million Ukrainian refugees.
Moldovan Premier Gavrilita said this week that Moldova feared it would be be invaded by Russia.
‘If a country can start an annexation war without any regard for international law, then in this sense, nobody is safe. I think a lot of countries are worried,’ she told CNN.
Moldova’s separarist Trans-Dniester region said it wants to become part of Russia, a long-term goal.
Last month, Moldova was granted candidate status to join the European Union alongside Ukraine.
The two nations will have to go through a lengthy process to become members and are expected to fulfil certain criteria.
During her visit to Romania, she will meet the speakers of Parliament, Marcel Ciolacu and Senate deputy speaker, Alina Gorghiu. The visit ends on Saturday.
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