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3h ago

Merz, Macron and Tusk Visit Moldova to Back EU Path Before September Vote

The trip signals EU support for Moldova’s sovereignty ahead of a pivotal parliamentary contest shaped by Russian pressure.

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Die EU hat in Gagausien viel Geld investiert, wie hier an der Straße nach Comrat. An der Popularität europaskeptischer Parteien ändert das wenig

Overview

  • Germany’s Friedrich Merz, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Poland’s Donald Tusk arrived in Chișinău for Independence Day events and met President Maia Sandu.
  • Merz pledged German help against Russian disinformation and cyber campaigns and said the door to EU membership remains open to Moldova.
  • European officials framed the visit as support for Moldova’s security, sovereignty and European trajectory before the 28 September parliamentary election.
  • Independent observers report continued Moscow-backed influence operations, estimating about $100 million for propaganda and alleged vote-buying, with pro-Russian forces strong in Transnistria and Gagauzia.
  • Moldova has been an EU candidate since 2022 with accession talks opened in June 2024, while polls show Sandu’s PAS leading but short of a majority, leaving the next parliament uncertain.