Moldovan president says resistance to Russian pressure makes Moldova pillar of stability

The resistance against Russian pressure makes Moldova "a pillar of stability in the region," in the context of a "dangerous" period, during which attempts are being made to overturn the world's order. At the same time, in recent years, Moldova has managed to assert itself on the international stage, enjoying the reliability of its partners and having a say in the democratic world today. "We must be ready to remove the Russian army from Moldova," said President Maia Sandu, as reported by MOLDPRES with reference to Euronews.

"A geopolitical opportunity may arise. The question is: how do we manage to convince the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops from Moldova?", the head of state stressed.

Maia Sandu warned that Moldova was going through a "complicated" and "dangerous" period, during which attempts are being made to redraw country borders, and the main instrument of the Moldovan authorities stays the foreign policy.

"We face a situation in which the world order is being attempted to be overturned, where attempts are being made to redraw country borders, and it is not only a complicated, but also a dangerous period. That is why, our main tool must stay the foreign policy, the very serious relationships we have achieved and need to strengthen. Moldova does not have a very developed economy and our strong point in foreign policy is not the economy. However, despite the fact that our economy is not strong, we have managed, through very good relations with important countries, especially from the democratic world, to have a say at the international table. This can be seen at international forums and through the presence of heads of states and governments in Moldova. Now, everyone knows we are brave, we are fighters, we want to remain part of the free world and we are an element that contributes to stability in the region," Sandu said.

At the same time, the head of state warned that Russia continued to exert hybrid pressure on Moldova, including through attempts to corrupt Diaspora voters and disinformation campaigns on social networks. In the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections due in next autumn, Maia Sandu emphasized the importance of vigilance and national unity.

"We have information about attempts to corrupt Diaspora voters and also notice a substantial enhancement in the activity of inauthentic accounts in the Moldovan Diaspora, specific to a coordinated influence campaign on social networks, with anti-EU messages, messages against the reforms and policies implemented in recent years and against the state of the Republic of Moldova. It is clear that this phenomenon will expand especially in the coming weeks. In this context, now, more than ever in our state's history, we must be vigilant, united and defend our sovereignty, democracy, freedom and our European choice," the president added.

Maia Sandu's statements come in the context of major international events. Over the weekend, a meeting took place in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with discussions focused particularly on European security and the situation in Ukraine. Today, in Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump, for consultations on support for Ukraine and coordination with European and American partners.

Domestically, Moldova is preparing for the ordinary parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025. The elections are regarded as decisive for the country's strategic direction – between consolidating the European path and the risk of returning under the influence of the Russian Federation.