Leaders from France, Germany, and Poland have travelled to Moldova to show support for the country's accession to the EU and warn of Russia's relentless efforts to undermine that ambition. The visit comes as Moldova marks 34 years of independence from Moscow, declared as the Soviet Union fell apart. But it is also taking place a month before critical parliamentary elections in which EU and Moldovan officials fear pro-Russian elements could gain ground.

Flanked by European heads of state, Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu told her country that it proved EU membership was not a distant dream, but a project we are working on, one that is vital for security. President Sandu emphasized the importance of EU membership by stating, The merciless war that Russia wages against Ukraine shows us daily that Europe means freedom and peace, whilst Putin's Russia means war and death, highlighting that Ukraine is close by, just across the border. Sandu's party, the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), is hopeful for a new mandate to push through further reforms for its EU membership path.

The leaders expressed their commitment to supporting Moldova as it navigates these critical elections while facing both internal and external challenges.