On August 27, 2025, Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, was awash with symbolism and high-stakes diplomacy as three of Europe’s most prominent leaders—French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk—arrived to mark the country’s 34th Independence Day. Their visit, which coincided with commemorations of Moldova’s 1991 break from the Soviet Union, was more than ceremonial: it was a powerful gesture of support for Moldova’s pro-European government as it faces a defining parliamentary election and intensifying Russian pressure.
President Maia Sandu, flanked by her European guests, did not mince words about what was at stake. “The alternative to Europe does not exist. Without the EU, Moldova remains blocked in the past,” she declared, according to DW. Sandu drew a stark contrast between the European Union, which she described as a beacon of “freedom and peace,” and Vladimir Putin’s Russia, which she said represents “war and death.” Her remarks echoed across a country that sits uneasily between war-torn Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania—a nation striving to shed its image as an ex-Soviet backwater and instead claim its place in the European family.
The timing of the visit was no accident. Moldova is just weeks away from a high-stakes parliamentary election scheduled for September 28, 2025. The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by Sandu, hopes to secure a fresh mandate to continue its pro-European reforms. But the party faces stiff competition from pro-Russian forces, including the Socialist and Communist parties. Polls suggest a neck-and-neck race, with the outcome likely to determine Moldova’s geopolitical orientation for years to come.
European leaders made clear their presence was intended as both a show of solidarity and a warning about the dangers posed by Kremlin interference. “Together with my friends, the German chancellor and the Polish prime minister, I came here to celebrate this symbolic day, marking Moldova’s entry into a space of regained sovereignty and freedom. We want to send the Moldovan people a message of respect and friendship,” Macron told reporters, as reported by Euronews. Chancellor Merz was even more direct: “In the run-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections in this country, not a day goes by without massive hybrid attacks from Russia. Moldova's democracy is in the crosshairs, both online and offline. A free, open, liberal society is in the crosshairs.”
These warnings are not theoretical. Moldova’s recent elections have been marred by credible allegations of Russian meddling, including disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and even cash-for-votes schemes. Sandu herself listed a litany of threats: “election interference, illegal financing, disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, sabotage at overseas polling stations, and efforts to sow hate between communities.” According to Reuters, fugitive pro-Russian tycoon Ilan Shor, convicted of bank fraud and now living abroad, has been offering up to $3,000 a month to Moldovans who join anti-government protests—a tactic seen as an attempt to destabilize the government ahead of the vote.
Despite repeated denials from Moscow, European officials and independent observers expect attempts at meddling to intensify as the election nears. Victoria Olari, a disinformation expert based in Chisinau, described the atmosphere as “charged,” telling DW that there is a palpable sense of “cautious optimism mixed with tension” among Moldovans. “There's a palpable sense of determination among Moldovans to safeguard their sovereignty,” she said, adding that the visit by top EU leaders “underscores the European support that many here see as a lifeline.”
The European leaders’ visit was not universally welcomed. Opposition leaders in Moldova criticized it as interference in the country’s internal affairs, and Moldovan media reported that several people—including a leader of the pro-Russian Renaissance party linked to Ilan Shor—were detained after allegedly attempting to block the European convoy. Such tensions highlight the polarized nature of Moldovan politics, where questions of national identity, language, and foreign policy remain deeply divisive.
Yet the pro-European camp has reason for cautious hope. Moldova’s ties to the EU have never been stronger. Since 2022, the country’s energy infrastructure has undergone a dramatic transformation, with Moldova now connected to the European electricity grid and committed to generating 27% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. The EU has pledged nearly €2 billion to bolster Moldova’s economy and reduce its vulnerability to external shocks. In 2024, more than half of Moldovan exports went to the EU—a historic high, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Still, the road to EU membership is fraught with obstacles. Moldova’s accession process is closely linked to that of Ukraine, and the EU’s internal divisions—particularly Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s candidacy—have created a bottleneck. As Amanda Paul of the European Policy Centre warned, “The EU may have little choice but to move ahead with Moldova, rather than risk the country falling under Russian influence,” a scenario that would “further undermine Europe's security and stability, including that of Ukraine.”
For now, European leaders are keen to reassure Moldovans that the door to the EU remains open. “The doors of the European Union are open for you, our Moldovan friends,” Merz declared, promising to “do whatever we can” to advance membership talks in the autumn. Macron described EU membership as Moldova’s “clear and sovereign choice” and conveyed a “message of solidarity and confidence” from France. Polish Prime Minister Tusk, drawing on his own country’s journey from Soviet domination to EU membership, told Moldovans, “You have chosen the right path. You chose peace not war, and we support your aspirations.”
Amid the pageantry of Independence Day—wreaths laid at the “Grieving Mother” monument, soldiers in ceremonial dress, and speeches echoing through Chisinau’s city center—the underlying message was unmistakable. Moldova’s future hangs in the balance, with the coming election a critical test of its democracy and its westward ambitions. As Sandu put it, “We feel like we are part of a family. And in a family, joys are shared and difficulties are borne together. We are deeply grateful for this solidarity.”
With the parliamentary vote just weeks away and the specter of Russian interference looming large, Moldova’s pro-European government faces a daunting challenge. But with robust support from its European partners and a determined electorate, the country is striving to ensure that its European dream remains not just a distant hope, but an attainable reality.
