Moldovan President Maia Sandu addressed members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, warning about threats to democratic systems and the potential influence of Russia over Moldova’s future.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola welcomed Sandu, stating, “we are all deeply impressed by your determination, courage and steadfast commitment to Moldova’s people, and your tireless work on steering Moldova on the path of democracy. We stand united in our support for Moldova and its democratic path to European Union membership.”
In her remarks, Sandu described the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moldova scheduled for September 28 as a pivotal moment. She said that the results would determine “whether we consolidate as a stable democracy” or if “Russia pulls us away from Europe” – making Moldova a potential threat on Europe’s eastern border. She warned that “if our democracy cannot be protected, then no democracy in Europe is safe.”
Sandu also discussed Moldova’s efforts toward joining the European Union. She pointed out that many current EU member states were not fully established democracies at the time they joined but had overcome dictatorships and economic challenges with support: “none of them did it alone.” According to Sandu, for Moldova, EU accession is more than a technical process; she called it “a race against time – to anchor our democracy inside the Union, where it will be protected from the greatest threat we face: Russia.”
With elections approaching, Sandu spoke about what she described as Moscow’s ongoing hybrid warfare campaign targeting Moldova: “on a scale unseen before the full invasion of Ukraine.” She added: “The Kremlin’s goal is clear…to capture Moldova through the ballot box, to use us against Ukraine, and to turn us into a launchpad for hybrid attacks on the European Union.”
Sandu emphasized the significance of this election for both her country and regional security: “That is why this election is very important. By defending it, we protect not only Moldova, but also regional security and stability (…) Moldova may be the testing ground. But Europe is the target,” she said.
She concluded by reflecting on Europe’s resilience in past crises and urged collective defense of democratic institutions: The only way forward is to defend our democracies with teeth – and to defend them together.”
