Lecartev: Moldova’s security is crucial for Ukraine, EU

Moldova’s national security directly correlates to both Ukraine and Europe, said Dmitrii Lecartev, who chairs the National Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova (NCUM), in a statement to the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC).

“Moldova shares a border with Ukraine, and any destabilization in the region could directly affect the situation in Ukraine,” he said.

Lecartev’s comments come amid growing attempts by Russia to destabilize Moldova, especially in the electoral process of the country’s recent presidential election that saw accusations of financial interference, training for civil unrest, cyber attacks, voter transportation schemes, and bomb threats abroad. 

French President Emmanuel Macron on March 10 highlighted them during a meeting with Moldova’s pro-European President Maia Sandu.

Moldova’s stability is crucial for the security of Europe, given its strategic location at the crossroads of East and West, says the leader of the Ukrainian community in the country of 2.4 million people.

“Supporting Moldova’s democratic institutions and sovereignty strengthens European security and stability,” Lecartev said.

Ukraine and Moldova share common interests in maintaining regional stability and security, which makes close cooperation between the two countries essential.

“Joint efforts to counter external threats and support both countries’ European integration goals are key to strengthening regional security,” he said.

As an EU-member candidate country from 2022, Moldova’s pursuit of European integration and protection from external interference is a shared interest of Ukraine and Europe, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the entire region, Lecartev said.

In turn, Macron also pointed out that Russia’s current efforts to destabilize Moldova are focused on undermining the country’s democratic institutions. 

“We have decided to again reinforce our cooperation to increase Moldova’s resilience faced with foreign interference,” the French president said on March 12.

As a former Soviet republic, Moldova holds significant strategic importance for Russia. 

The Kremlin’s goal remains to control the post-Soviet space and maintain its influence over its 14 former Soviet republics, according to Ukrainian journalist Vitaliy Portnikov.

Russia has repeatedly threatened Moldova for its support of Ukraine. Previously, Sandu stated that if Russia had taken Kyiv “in three days,” Moldova would have been next.