LIVE // Moldova Security Forum 2026 taking place in Chișinău

The third edition of the Moldova Security Forum is taking place today and tomorrow in Chișinău. The event brings together more than 700 participants and around 90 experts from 20 countries to discuss the security of the Republic of Moldova, Europe and the Black Sea region.

European democracies facing new security challenges

At the opening of the 2026 Moldova Security Forum, Secretary General of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Mark Speich emphasized that European democracies are facing new security challenges, as war has returned to the continent and hybrid attacks are targeting elections, the press and citizens’ trust in institutions.


„Today, two questions are decisive. The first question concerns our security. War has returned to Europe. Russia is brutally attacking Ukraine, and there is a hybrid war against several European states. In this war, tanks are not being used; instead, our elections, our press and trust in institutions are being attacked,” Mark Speich said.


The Republic of Moldova has already felt the effects of these forms of pressure through attempts at vote-buying, disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks. In this context, he emphasized that democracies must strengthen their defense capabilities without giving up the freedoms that define them. In his view, the main challenge is whether democracies are efficient enough to respond to today’s world and whether they can preserve citizens’ trust.


„Are our democracies resilient enough for the world we live in now? This is precisely why Moldova is ahead of us. This country has been attacked for years. The democracy, integrity and cohesion of these countries have been attacked. Russia’s goal is very clear: to seize and destroy this democracy. Moldova has learned to stand firm. Democratic institutions have become stronger, public trust has increased, the state has become more capable, and elections have been won here in Moldova as well. You know that this resilience is a long-term effort and that there are no pauses in this effort,” Mark Speich said.


 



President Maia Sandu: „The strongest guarantee is membership in the European Union”

The Republic of Moldova is already contributing to Europe’s security, and this contribution begins with the support provided to Ukraine, President Maia Sandu said. The president highlighted the Republic of Moldova’s role in supporting Ukraine and the importance of the approximately 1,200 kilometers of shared border. Maia Sandu stated that Moscow’s takeover of the Republic of Moldova would have had direct consequences for the security of Ukraine and Europe, as it would have turned an important part of the Ukrainian border into a hostile area and brought Russian military pressure closer to the border of the European Union and NATO.


„This forum asks whether a small country can be a security provider. A few years ago, few people would have asked this question about Moldova. Today, the answer is yes, and let me tell you why. I will refer to three aspects. First, Moldova is already contributing to Europe’s security, and that contribution begins with Ukraine. Second, Moldova is where Russia first tests its methods: in the air, in our elections and in our information space. What we have learned can save our partners time. Third, what strengthens Moldova strengthens Europe, and the strongest guarantee is membership in the European Union,” the president said.


 




„A Moldova in Moscow’s hands would turn more than half of Ukraine’s borders into hostile borders. It would leave Ukraine exposed from the southwest, force its troops away from the front and bring Russian pressure to the Prut River, which is the border of the European Union and NATO. This was Russia’s plan. It wanted to turn Moldova into a second Belarus and use our territory against Ukraine and against the EU. Moldovans stopped this plan at the ballot box, twice. Therefore, when we talk about Moldova’s contribution to European security, we begin with Ukraine. More than one million Ukrainians fleeing the war passed through Moldova starting in 2022, and approximately 100,000 found a home here. If this winter in Ukraine proves to be as difficult as everyone expects, we are prepared to receive as many people as need to be safe,” Maia Sandu said.




Head of the NATO Liaison Office, Agne Gleveckaite: Support for Ukraine demonstrates Moldova’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security

Security today means not only defense capabilities, but also strong democratic institutions, societal resilience, an independent press and citizens’ ability to withstand manipulation and external pressure. Agne Gleveckaite, Head of the NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova, praised the way Moldovan society has responded to these challenges, highlighted progress in strengthening democratic resilience and noted that this experience could also be relevant for other states. In her view, security cannot be built in isolation, and cooperation between states is essential for responding to common threats.


„It is important that you are talking about the challenges you face. Moldova is strengthening its own security and, at the same time, contributing to regional security and beyond. Continued support for Ukraine is the clearest demonstration of the Republic of Moldova’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security. This gives us more information about today’s security reality. Security is not built in isolation. Our ability to face common challenges depends on our partnerships, shared experience and commitment to working together,” Agne Gleveckaite said.


Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi: The Republic of Moldova is on the front line against Kremlin’s hybrid operations

The Republic of Moldova has been on the front line against the Kremlin’s hybrid operations, from information warfare and cyberattacks to attempts to undermine democratic political systems, and these actions have been repelled, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi said. The deputy prime minister emphasized that the progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova in the field of security would not have been possible without the support of the European Union and its member states.


„We are now in a position where we can already resist and make use of the lessons learned from our experience, which we share with our partners. This cooperation and this success would not have been possible, first and foremost, without the support of the European Union and the EU member states. The Republic of Moldova is the first state to have a defense and security agreement with the European Union. After such an agreement was signed, many other countries followed this example: Norway, Japan and Australia. The Republic of Moldova is not often ahead of Japan, but at least in two cases we are ahead of Japan: the security and defense agreement signed with the EU and the wonderful vine, represented by its people, which has also been recognized as such in the Guinness Book of Records. When it comes to security, the Republic of Moldova continues to intensify its efforts. Thus, we believe we can celebrate increasingly remarkable successes. Strengthening civil defense and the strategic communications center—these are all measures that defend and protect the Republic of Moldova,” Popșoi said.


The gathering is organized by more than 20 organizations and institutions and is the largest security event held with the support of civil society, public institutions, the business community and development partners. The forum brings together officials, diplomats, experts, representatives of civil society, academia, companies and the press.

The theme of this edition is „Strengthening democratic resilience and security through strategic vision and multilateral cooperation.” In simple terms, the discussions will examine how we can maintain functioning institutions, secure public services and people’s trust when society is facing war in its neighborhood, disinformation, cyberattacks, energy pressures or other crises.

The program is taking place against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine and threats affecting the entire region. The experience of the Republic of Moldova in protecting democratic processes and cooperating with European and transatlantic partners will be a central focus of the discussions.

The first day begins with an address by President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu, followed by a discussion moderated by Alec Russell of the Financial Times. The agenda includes speeches by Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatîi and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, alongside representatives of European institutions, NATO and the international expert community.

On October 8, the discussions will address the Republic of Moldova’s partnerships, defense cooperation, the future of European security and investments in defense. On October 9, the agenda will continue with crisis preparedness, protecting institutions against threats, new technologies, Ukraine’s reconstruction and strengthening public trust. The program includes public sessions and closed sessions for the expert community.

Moldova Security Forum 2026 is organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Republic of Moldova, the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) and the NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova, with institutional support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova and 20 partner organizations from Europe and the United States.