In the coming months, Russia will step up its attempts to destabilise the situation in Moldova or create the appearance of an internal crisis. President Maia Sandu has warned that Moscow is seeking to undermine the European Union’s trust in Chișinău and to complicate the country’s accession process to the EU. The Moldovan President made this statement on 6 November whilst commenting on the situation surrounding the unrecognised region of Transnistria, according to the Moldpres news agency.
- Sandu warned of new attempts by Russia to destabilise Moldova in the coming months.
- Moscow is seeking to sow doubt amongst EU countries regarding Moldova’s stability.
- Chisinau promises to counter interference and defend the country’s European course.
- Moldova plans to conclude negotiations on EU accession by 2028.
Moscow will attempt to create the appearance of a crisis in Moldova
According to Maia Sandu, the Russian leadership may use internal tensions in Moldova as a means of exerting political pressure. This involves not only direct destabilisation, but also attempts to create the impression that the country is in a state of constant crisis and is unable to guarantee its own security.
The President believes that such actions are likely to raise further questions amongst EU Member States and slow down accession negotiations. She emphasised that the authorities must be prepared to respond to such challenges, first and foremost to preserve peace and stability within the country.
«We will see more attempts by the Russian Federation to destabilise the situation or create the impression of destabilisation in the Republic of Moldova,» said Sandu.
She also emphasised that Chișinău must not allow the European course – which remains one of the country’s main foreign policy priorities – to be discredited.
Sandu’s statement came against the backdrop of events in Transnistria
The President’s warning came following the Moldovan authorities’ decision to ban the leader of the unrecognised Transnistria To Vadym Krasnoselskyi to leave the territory of Moldova for a period of five years.
Krasnoselsky had previously visited Moscow, where the Russian president Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order of Honour for his work in the Transnistria region.
Transnistria remains one of the main security challenges for Moldova. Russian troops are stationed in the unrecognised region, whilst Chisinau insists on a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity.
Moldova hopes to conclude negotiations with the EU by 2028
Sandu’s warning coincided with a new phase in Moldova’s European integration. The European Commission’s 2026 report on EU enlargement noted the country’s progress across all 33 negotiation chapters. Four out of six negotiation clusters were opened during the year.
Chisinau plans to conclude negotiations on accession to the European Union by 2028. The European Commission considers this target to be ambitious, but achievable provided the pace of reforms is maintained.
At the same time, Brussels emphasises the need to continue the fight against corruption, to ensure the effective implementation of adopted laws and to strengthen state institutions.
