European Leaders Visit Moldova to Support Pro-EU President Amid Russian Interference Concerns

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Chisinau on August 27 to mark Moldova's Independence Day and express support for President Maia Sandu's pro-European Union stance ahead of the September 28 parliamentary elections.

During a joint press conference, the European leaders praised Moldova's resilience against alleged Russian interference. Macron emphasized that Moldova's choice to join the EU is a commitment to peace and the rule of law, countering Kremlin propaganda that portrays Europeans as warmongers.

Sandu highlighted the threat of "unprecedented" Russian interference in the upcoming elections, warning that it jeopardizes Moldova's sovereignty and EU ambitions.

Moldova, a country of 2.4 million people situated between Romania and Ukraine, has been a target for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has employed hybrid tactics—including disinformation campaigns and vote-buying—to influence the country's political direction.

The visit by European leaders underscores the high geopolitical stakes, as Moldova remains a front in the broader struggle between Western integration and Russian influence in Eastern Europe.