Moldovan president's message at Congress of European People's Party

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be among such good friends at a time when the world is facing a storm of uncertainty.

Let me start by thanking the family of the European People's Party for the constant support provided to Moldova — to fight against corruption, resist oligarchy and overcome the consequences of the brutal war waged by Russia against Ukraine.

These consequences are still felt. Russia has boosted its hybrid war: vote buying, cyberattacks, disinformation — all aimed at derailing our democracy last year. But Moldova stood firm. We protected our choice and strengthened our democratic institutions.

Nevertheless, the threats have not vanished. This year, Moldova faces another election — and Russia will again try to derail it. The stake is even higher: parliamentary elections that will decide whether we remain on the European path or fall prey to foreign influence.

Russia's goals have not changed. It wants to turn Moldova into a corridor of influence and use it against Ukraine — along a border of over 1,200 kilometers, the longest that Ukraine has with any neighboring country.

This is the reality we face — but Moldova has made its choice. We stand with the free world, working every day to remain anchored on the right side of history.

Today, Moldova is safe due to the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine protects not only Moldova, but the entire Europe and the international order. Therefore, Ukraine needs even more military, economic and moral support.

Today we know: if the international community had acted more resolutely from the beginning, the human costs, economic losses and damage to international law would have been much lower. Today it is harder — but it is not too late — to stop the aggressor and restore peace.

Peace demands courage. In these trying times, we must learn from our Ukrainian friends — and match their bravery with European unity. Either we rise together, or we fall divided.

At the same time, today's threats go beyond the battlefield. Where brute force is out of reach, Putin uses hybrid means. In Moldova, we have learned this the hard way.

And Moldova's experience is not the only one. The threats we face are the same as those faced by all of Europe. Therefore, to remain strong, agile and resilient, Europe must reform — to protect the hope of peace, to defend its democracies (as peace without democracy is fleeting), and to treat enlargement as a strategic investment in security.

Dear friends,

Moldova and Ukraine must join the European Union not only because we belong to the European family, but because Europe will become stronger, safer and more united by accepting those who fight for its values.

The time has come to prove that Europe rewards courage through action. Moldova, Ukraine and the Balkan countries are working hard. Together, under the leadership of the EPP, we should find our natural place: at home, in the European Union.

Thank you.