VIDEO // Moldova, Ukraine to simultaneously advance on path to EU membership; Moldovan, Ukrainian presidents have meeting in The Hague

Moldova and Ukraine will advance simultaneously and in close coordination on the path to European Union membership. The message was conveyed following a meeting between Moldova's President Maia Sandu and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in The Hague, during the diplomatic conference for the establishment of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

President Maia Sandu said, that during the meeting, the two heads of state discussed the situation on the front, Ukraine's remarkable resilience and international efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine and the entire European continent. She emphasized that "Moldova supports all efforts for a dignified, lasting peace."

"While in The Hague, on the occasion of establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, I discussed with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. We also talked about our countries' EU accession paths. EU membership will anchor Moldova in an area of peace and stability and will contribute to enhancing Ukraine's security. We stay committed to working with our partners for a peaceful, secure and European future for Moldova, Ukraine and the entire region," said Maia Sandu.

For his part, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support provided by Moldova and its openness to cooperation.

"I met in The Hague with Moldova's President Maia Sandu. We discussed possible partnership directions and agreed on future contacts. At the same time, we talked about efforts for peace, security and the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war ends. I emphasized the need to maintain pressure on Russia and to counter all possible threats. A significant topic of discussion was our joint path towards EU membership. We agreed that future progress for Ukraine and Moldova should be achieved simultaneously and in close coordination," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The diplomatic conference is dedicated to adopting the Convention on establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. The event is taking place in The Hague, Netherlands. The Convention is developed under the aegis of the Council of Europe. Moldova is holding the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe as of November 2025 till May 2026.

The International Claims Commission for Ukraine is an international mechanism aimed at reviewing and resolving compensation claims for damages caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Commission represents the next step after the establishment of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, agreed upon by the heads of state and government at the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik. To date, 44 states and the European Union have joined the Register, which has already received over 80,000 claims. The new Commission will have the mandate to examine, assess and resolve claims submitted to the Register and establish, on a case-by-case basis, the amount of compensation due.