We must do everything in our power to protect Moldova, the country next to Ukraine that has suffered deeply from Vladimir Putin’s murderous behavior in the region. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe but is desperately trying to break the cycle of political dysfunction and corruption that has been historically thrust upon them by Russia. With the reelection of pro-reform, pro-West and anti-corruption President Maia Sandu – a Harvard-educated World Bank economist – they have an excellent shot. Despite the potential severe consequences, Moldova condemned Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and has been steadily pivoting toward the European Union (EU).

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Despite Putin using every nasty trick in the book – including bribery, disinformation, cyber-attacks, and even low-level violence – on October 20, 2024, the people of Moldova narrowly voted to amend their constitution to make integration into the European Union (EU) a strategic objective.

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Nevertheless, Putin continued his sabotage efforts, and Moldova’s September 2025 parliamentary elections were again targeted by extensive foreign interference, illicit financing, cyberattacks and disinformation. But voters kept the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) in power with a parliamentary majority, allowing the country’s push toward EU membership to continue.

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And that push is advancing. Moldova completed the EU’s accession-screening process in September 2025, formally opened its first negotiating cluster in June 2026, and opened another in July – moving the country another step closer to eventual EU membership.