Moldovan president in Helsinki says country's response to become stronger

Moldova is strengthening its defense and security capabilities amid the war in Ukraine and hybrid threats. “Our response is to become stronger,” President Maia Sandu said at a joint news conference held with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki today.

The Moldovan head of state warned that the war in Ukraine was approaching  Moldova, referring to drone incidents and attacks on infrastructure along the Ukrainian-Moldovan border.

“The war is reaching our territory. This year, Russian drones have entered our airspace more than 45 times, with eight of these incidents occurring in the last week alone. Last month, Russia deliberately struck the border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova, killing two people. (...) Our response is to become stronger. We are investing in air defense, modernizing our army and increasing defense spending. We are strengthening our capabilities to counter information manipulation and cyberattacks and to protect our elections,” Maia Sandu said.

The president said that Moldova had been subjected to pressure and attempts to interfere in the electoral process, noting that the country’s institutions had withstood them.

“Last year, Russia spent an amount equivalent to nearly 2 per cent of our GDP on interference in the parliamentary elections. On election day alone, the Central Electoral Commission faced almost one billion malicious requests as part of a cyberattack intended to disable our electoral systems. Our institutions withstood the attack, and the citizens of Moldova responded through their vote,” the head of state said.

Maia Sandu emphasized that Moldova has much to learn from Finland’s experience in security and civil preparedness and proposed establishing a structured Moldovan-Finnish dialogue on resilience.

“We have much to learn from Finland: from your integrated security model, from civil preparedness and from the calm that comes from being prepared. That is why, I proposed establishing a structured dialogue between Moldova and Finland on resilience. We also want to join Finland and other countries, which work to ensure that the most advanced artificial intelligence models remain under human control,” Maia Sandu said.

The head of state emphasized that the resilience of Moldova is important for the security of the whole of Europe and linked it to the country’s progress toward joining the European Union.

“That is why, the resilience of Moldova matters to the whole of Europe and also depends on our progress toward membership in the European Union. Every step forward shows our citizens that their choice is producing results. Every delay reinforces the Kremlin’s message that Europe’s door will remain closed. Our society has withstood constant pressure since 2022. To continue withstanding it, people need to see that we are moving forward,” Maia Sandu said.

The Moldovan president described the enlargement of the European Union as an investment in Europe’s security and said that, for Moldova, cooperation in this area means joining the EU.

“Enlargement is one of the smartest investments in security that Europe can make. As you said at the United Nations, Mr. President, small nations need cooperation in order to survive. For Moldova, this cooperation means joining the European Union,” the head of state said.

In conclusion, Maia Sandu referred to the Finnish word “sisu,” which describes determination and perseverance in the face of difficulties, stating that the citizens of Moldova had also demonstrated such resilience.

“Dear Alexander, I learned that in the Finnish language there is a word – ‘sisu’ – that describes the quiet determination that helps you get through difficult times. Moldovans have also shown that they have their own form of ‘sisu.’ We are a small country doing serious work under enormous pressure, for a safe, democratic and European future. It means a great deal to us to have Finland by our side on this journey,” Maia Sandu concluded.

Moldova and Finland will strengthen their cooperation in the field of resilience and security, while Helsinki is reaffirming its support for Moldova’s European path. President Maia Sandu and Finnish President Alexander Stubb discussed bilateral relations, European security, the war in Ukraine, hybrid threats and Moldova’s process of accession to the European Union at a joint news conference held in Helsinki today.

President Maia Sandu is paying an official visit to Finland, where she is discussing bilateral cooperation, European security and support for Moldova’s European path with the authorities in Helsinki. Maia Sandu and Alexander Stubb will open the Helsinki Security Forum 2026, organized by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.