EU–Moldova summit condemns Russian war against Ukraine and hybrid threats
Parliament of Moldova (Getty Images)
The European Union and Moldova, at their first joint summit, signed a declaration identifying Russia as a threat. Both sides condemned the actions of the Russian regime in Ukraine, according to the website of the European Commission.
The document states that the EU and Moldova are closely cooperating in the face of regional security threats caused by Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
It reaffirms their strong condemnation of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. In this context, they are jointly responding to these threats and reaffirm the EU's unwavering support for Moldova's sovereignty, stability, resilience, and economic development.
In addition, the EU reaffirmed its support for Moldova in countering hybrid attacks from Russia — including cyberattacks, the use of energy as a weapon, and attempts to interfere in electoral processes.
The declaration strongly condemns the ongoing and increasing hybrid threats from Russia aimed at undermining democratic elections in Moldova, as well as the use of large-scale electoral corruption schemes through local intermediaries. It also strongly condemns Russia's continued use of energy as a weapon, aimed at destabilizing Moldova's political situation.
The EU and Moldova also reiterated in the declaration their demand that Russia immediately withdraw all armed forces from the territory of the temporarily occupied Transnistria.
Moldova's EU accession
On June 26, ahead of the EU summit, Romanian President Nicușor Dan announced that Moldova would begin negotiations to join the European Union on July 4. He clarified that the official launch of the talks was scheduled to take place during the EU–Moldova summit in Chișinău.
However, Dan later clarified that Moldova's accession negotiations with the EU would not begin on July 4, as the bloc's leaders had not yet made the necessary decision.
Moldova, for its part, hopes to use the upcoming EU summit to strengthen its position on the path toward membership. However, the parallel review of Ukraine's application poses a risk of delay, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed his intention to veto Kyiv's membership.
