In Kyiv, Moldovan President Maia Sandu discussed energy security, infrastructure modernization, and cross-border cooperation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The dialogue focused on bolstering resilience in critical energy networks and accelerating upgrades to shared infrastructure, signaling a joint commitment to safeguard reliable power supplies and strengthen regional ties. The two leaders also underscored the importance of aligning their countries on a path toward deeper European integration while coordinating efforts to begin formal negotiations on Moldova’s and Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union.
Remarking on recent steps toward European alignment, Sandu highlighted Moldova’s decision earlier to apply for EU membership and noted the EU’s subsequent decision to grant candidate status to both Moldova and Ukraine at a Brussels summit. The EU Commission followed up with a set of nine concrete conditions intended to guide Moldova’s journey toward eligibility, emphasizing institutional reforms, rule of law, and economic governance as pivotal milestones. This framework is intended to help the two nations demonstrate progress and demonstrate alignment with EU standards while navigating the practical realities of reform across multiple sectors.
Sandu also pointed to the broader strategic question facing Moldova and the region: the long-term direction of the country’s foreign and economic orientation. She reiterated that embracing the European path offers the most promising framework for sustainable development, governance, and social progress. The stance contrasts with discussions about non-European alignments, which she characterized as unlikely to yield the same level of opportunity for investment, modernization, and security. The focus remains on building a future anchored in European values, market openness, and constructive cooperation with neighboring states, including Ukraine, as partners on shared challenges and opportunities.