Moldova ready to help rebuild Ukraine; Moldovan president Kyiv says Ukraine's recovery shared responsibility of Europe

President Maia Sandu has reaffirmed her firm support for Ukraine during a joint press conference held in Kyiv alongside her counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit takes place against the backdrop of new Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and the commemoration of 40 years since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The head of state said she was “deeply moved” to be in Kyiv, a city that symbolizes resistance in the face of aggression. She condemned Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian population, expressing Moldova’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“Thank you for welcoming me to Kyiv. I am always deeply moved to be in this city — a city that has shown the world what it means to refuse to be brought to your knees. I am here this morning knowing that, just last night, Russia struck again — in Dnipro, in cities across Ukraine. People were killed in their own homes. And I want to say to the people of Ukraine: we see you, we stand with you, and the world must not look away,” Maia Sandu said.

In her speech, the president drew a parallel between the Chernobyl disaster and the current war, stressing that both show how threats generated by authoritarian regimes do not stop at borders. She recalled that the Soviet regime had hidden the truth about the 1986 nuclear accident, while radiation was spreading across Europe, and thousands of people, including Moldovans, were sent to intervene without being informed about the risks.

“Forty years ago, the Chernobyl disaster reminded an entire continent that the threats posed by an authoritarian regime do not stop at borders. The Soviet regime knew what had happened — and chose to hide the truth, while radiation spread across Europe, putting millions of people at risk. Liquidators were sent — including Moldovans — without protection and without being told the truth. Many paid for this service with their health and their lives. We commemorate them today. Chernobyl laid bare the Soviet regime’s contempt for human life. Little has changed in the Kremlin since then. The same contempt is reflected in Russia’s behavior today. And yet, despite this contempt, Ukraine fights. Ukraine innovates. Ukraine endures,” Sandu said, adding that the same patterns of behavior can be seen in the Kremlin’s current actions.

The Moldovan president also highlighted Ukraine’s ability to withstand and to innovate in the field of defense, praising its contribution to European security. She welcomed the European Union’s decision to provide financial support to Ukraine and to step up sanctions against Russia, underlining the need to maintain constant pressure on the aggressor.

At the same time, Maia Sandu emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability for war crimes. She noted Moldova’s involvement in international initiatives on creating a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

The head of state drew attention to the fact that the effects of the war were also felt in Moldova, referring in particular to disruptions in water and energy supplies, as well as infringements of its airspace. She stressed that, although the impact is not comparable to what Ukraine is experiencing, Moldova is facing hybrid attacks, including disinformation and energy pressure.

“The security of Moldova and the security of Ukraine are interconnected,” Maia Sandu said, reiterating her support for the shared European path of the two states.

In the end, the Moldovan president said Moldova was ready to contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine and delivered a message of unity:

“Our shared European future also means working together for a real, lasting and principled peace — grounded on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Moldova is also ready to contribute to the recovery of Ukraine. The reconstruction of Ukraine is a shared responsibility of Europe, and Moldova assumes it as its own responsibility. The people of Moldova stand with the people of Ukraine — today, as yesterday, and as tomorrow. We commemorate Chernobyl together. We face today’s challenges together. We will build our European future together,” Maia Sandu said.

President Maia Sandu today is paying a visit to Kyiv, where she has talks with her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The head of state informed that she would also go to Chernobyl, in order to pay tribute to those who had intervened in the aftermath of the 1986 catastrophe.