Odesa trilateral meeting // Ukrainian president's message for Moldovans: "If Europe loses Moldova, Russia will be encouraged to take your resources, sovereignty and history''

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns that, if Europe loses Moldova this year, Russia will be further encouraged to boost its interference in the internal affairs of other states, threatening their resources, sovereignty and even historical identity. The Kyiv leader conveyed a message to this effect during the Ukraine - Southeast Europe Summit, held in Odessa today. The official emphasized that supporting a European Moldova was a crucial task.

The Ukrainian president also called for European support for Moldova, in the context of parliamentary elections, due in next autumn. 

“Unfortunately, our region is one of Russia’s primary targets, as it tries to sow chaos. We have seen this in the Balkans, where Moscow has fueled ethnic tensions, acts of sabotage and coup attempts. We have seen manipulation of public opinion in Romania, orchestrated with Moscow's involvement. And for three decades, Russia has tried to keep Moldova in poverty and instability, in order to bring it under total control. If Europe loses Moldova this year, Russia will be even more encouraged to meddle in your countries - to take your resources, sovereignty and even history. Therefore, supporting a European Moldova - not one controlled by Russian or oligarchic forces - is an essential task for all of us. The same goes for Ukraine. For Moscow, Ukraine is not a country, but a resource - a military springboard for future invasions. We are all facing the same source of destruction. Today I propose we focus - and I, in particular - on three things: defense, unity and real development,” Zelensky declared, quoted by Agerpres.

Volodymyr Zelensky said that the security of Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region was indivisible. “Ukraine understood this as early as 2014. The entire continent became aware of it in 2022. And even today we are forced to fight not only for our country, but also to make this reality the foundation of a new regional policy,” said Zelensky.





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After the Summit, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the presence of leaders gathered in Odessa “was a clear and common signal against Russia’s attempts to destabilize our region and weaken sovereignty in Europe.”

“Such a format of cooperation is important. We must continue to develop it. More support awaits us. Thank you for helping to protect life and common values,” emphasized Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit was held today in Odesa. The event was also attended by the head of state, Maia Sandu.

On the sidelines of the Summit, a trilateral meeting of the Presidents of the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine took place. Maia Sandu stated after its completion that when Chișinău, Kyiv, and Bucharest act together, we can build more than infrastructure or joint projects – we can offer safety to our people, hope for a peaceful future, and a clear path to a united, free, and democratic Europe.