Maia Sandu: Our Border Is a Strategic Advantage for Ukraine

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, took part yesterday in Paris in a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing”, representing Moldova for the first time on this international platform for supporting Ukraine. The “Coalition of the Willing” brings together 37 states, predominantly European, which are coordinating efforts to support Ukraine in order to achieve a ceasefire and a just peace, as well as to prevent further aggression. The platform is co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports realitatea.md. In her speech, Maia Sandu stated that the Republic of Moldova’s participation in the coalition is a logical continuation of the support the country has been providing to Ukraine since the start of the war. “We share a 1,222-kilometre border with Ukraine. Some of Ukraine’s borders are currently the front line, whilst others are being used to launch attacks. Our border is a friendly one. This is a strategic advantage for both Ukraine and this coalition,” said the head of state. The President also emphasized the need to step up support for Ukraine, in particular by strengthening its air defense system and increasing economic pressure on the Russian Federation. On the sidelines of the meeting, Maia Sandu held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. The President’s Office noted that the Republic of Moldova’s participation in the “Coalition of the Willing” does not contravene its constitutionally enshrined status of neutrality, as neutral states such as Austria and Ireland also participate in this framework.