Ukrainian Foreign Minister in Bălți: We ready to cooperate with Moldova in defence and security

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated Kyiv’s readiness to cooperate with Chișinău in the defence and air security, emphasizing the experience Ukraine has gained in the context of the war. The statement was made during his visit to Bălți, where the head of Ukrainian diplomacy met with local authorities, representatives of the academic community, and members of the Ukrainian community in northern Moldova, according to NordNews.

The visit comes against the backdrop of recent incidents in the airspace of the Republic of Moldova. The Ukrainian minister spoke about the need to strengthen regional security and about Kyiv’s readiness to work with Chișinău.

“Ukraine currently has unique experience, combat experience, including when it comes to closing airspace. We have become a global leader in drone production and we are undoubtedly ready to cooperate with our neighbour, Moldova, to strengthen your capabilities, your defence capabilities and your security,” said Andrii Sybiha.

Andrii Sybiha visited Alecu Russo State University in Bălți and the recently modernized Ukrainian Language and Culture Center. The official spoke with students about educational cooperation between the two countries and the shared European path of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Young people highlighted the importance of the visit for the Ukrainian community in the region and for strengthening academic relations.

“I believe this visit represents important support for us, the Ukrainian community in Moldova,” said a university student, noting the attention given to the educational process.

The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are increasingly being treated as a tandem in the process of accession to the European Union. At the beginning of 2025, the two states signed a cooperation memorandum to coordinate their European integration path.

“We see how cooperation at the highest level between the two countries, between Moldova and Ukraine, has intensified. We see how Moldova is showing solidarity with Ukraine today, offering support on all political stages. And we know how many Ukrainian citizens Moldova has received during Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” said Dmitri Lecartev, President of the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova.

Bălți leadership underlined the role of cooperation with cities in Ukraine, recalling that the locality has twinning partnerships with Khmelnytskyi, Chernivtsi, Solotvyno and Stryi.

Bălți mayor said that the relations contribute to preparing future reconstruction projects in Ukraine and to strengthening regional cooperation.

The visit of the Ukrainian minister also had a symbolic component, as he laid flowers at the monument to poet Taras Shevchenko in Bălți. The event highlighted the strengthening of relations between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, both in the political and security dimensions and in the cultural and educational spheres.