Moldova, Ukraine, Romania Presidents Proclaim Pro-european Alliance

The declaration came during celebrations in Chisinau marking the 35th anniversary of Moldova's independence. Host President Maia Sandu said in her speech that her country "sleeps more peacefully thanks to the resistance of the Ukrainians, who have been under Russian invasion since February 2022. Sandu also noted that Russia's military aggression against Ukraine affects Romania and Moldova, whose airspace was violated again on Thursday by a Russian drone during a continued aerial attack that Kremlin forces launched against Ukrainian territory. Sandu attributed this latest incident — which she said has already repeated itself "dozens of times" — to a Russian attempt to intimidate Moldova, which belonged to the USSR and is considered by the Kremlin to be part of Russia's sphere of influence.

"We will not let ourselves be intimidated, said the Moldovan president, who called on the international community to help Ukraine strengthen its air defenses before winter. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed Thursday's Russian attacks, recalling that Ukraine spent nearly the whole day under constant air alerts due to the numerous drones and ballistic missiles launched by Russia overnight. Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's readiness to share its experience and military capabilities with its neighbors so they become less vulnerable to incidents like the incursion of Russian drones into their airspace.

The Ukrainian president expressed satisfaction that the three countries remain interconnected despite Russia's attempts to isolate them — noting that Moscow has attacked Ukrainian border crossings to Moldova in recent weeks — and recalled that EU integration is one of the common strategic goals of Chisinau and Kyiv. Romanian President Nicusor Dan, for his part, once again voiced support for both neighbors' aspirations to join the EU and said Thursday's trilateral meeting was proof of the "maturity" with which the three countries approach security and stability in the region. Dan explained that one of the main topics discussed by the three leaders was interconnection in gas and electricity — on which Ukraine largely depends to maintain a minimum supply during Russian bombardments of its energy grid — as well as infrastructure.