Moldovan president says Moldova to be important partner in effort of Ukraine's recovery

The recovery of Ukraine is an investment in the peace and prosperity of the entire region, and Moldova will be an important partner in this effort. President Maia Sandu today conveyed a message to this effect at the Ukraine Recovery  Conference, held in Rome.

The head of state noted that the Ukrainians were giving us all a lesson of courage – not only in defending their country, but also in the way they look to the future, with hope and confidence.

“Today, in Rome, under the auspices of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, we discussed the recovery of Ukraine. Moldova will be an important partner in this effort. Our country is a natural corridor to the south of the neighboring country: from Odesa and Mykolaiv, to Kherson, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. This means that construction materials and equipment can be brought, stored and transported through Moldova, helping to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed by war. We are constantly developing our infrastructure: roads, bridges and railways that connect us to Romania and Ukraine; power lines and gas pipelines that provide energy security for any economic activity,” said Maia Sandu.

The president urged states to support Ukraine to defend itself and achieve a common future, alongside Moldova, in the EU.

“However, we must be honest. Nothing will matter, if Ukraine cannot defend itself — now. For Ukraine’s recovery to take place, it must endure. And for Ukraine to endure, it needs more military support — and faster. For Moldova, this is not theoretical. Ukraine is our neighbor, our partner and a future member, alongside us, in the European Union. We have a long border — 1,200 kilometers. We have shared infrastructure. And we share a common future,” Maia Sandu stressed.

She emphasized that the security of the two countries was collective, a fact perceived also in the context of the parliamentary elections due in this autumn.

“As we near the parliamentary elections and face increasingly aggressive Russian interference, we cannot afford for the 1,200-kilometer border with Ukraine to become a hostile boundary. A strong and democratic Moldova is a reliable security partner. Our stability strengthens Ukraine’s stability, just as Ukraine’s resilience strengthens ours,” Maia Sandu noted.

The official highlighted that the recovery of Ukraine was an investment in the peace and prosperity of the entire region.

“It will bring economic benefits to our citizens as well – because, just as the security, Moldova’s prosperity is closely linked to the one of our neighbors. Moldova will stand with Ukraine in the effort to build a better future for everybody. We convey this message to our EU partners: help us accelerate infrastructure projects that connect us to Ukraine — and to Europe. It is an investment in our joint resilience,” added Maia Sandu.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference is at its fourth edition. It is divided into plenary sessions dedicated to political and financial support for Ukraine, as well as a comprehensive recovery forum involving institutional, financial and international business stakeholders. The forum is meant to facilitate aligning Ukraine’s needs with partnership and investment opportunities.