Sandu: Blocking Moldova’s EU Integration Does Not Help Ukraine

Maia Sandu said that blocking Moldova’s EU accession process, which is proceeding in parallel with Ukraine’s, does nothing to help Kyiv. She made the remarks in an interview with the Hungarian newspaper Válasz Online, eurointegration.com.ua reports. Commenting on the possibility of Moldova and Ukraine pursuing separate paths towards EU membership, Sandu did not explicitly say that she was seeking such a separation. At the same time, she stressed that Chisinau needed progress on accession but could not resolve the problems surrounding the blocking of the opening of negotiating clusters for Ukraine. “We genuinely want Ukraine to become part of the EU. Our strategic interests lie in being surrounded by EU member states. We understand how difficult it is for Ukraine to carry out all these reforms, especially when bombs are falling on its government institutions and its people. At the same time, we cannot solve Ukraine’s domestic problems, just as Ukraine cannot carry out reforms in Moldova,” she said. Asked whether Moldova was seeking to move towards the EU separately from Ukraine, Sandu noted that blocking her country’s European integration did not help Kyiv. “I am responsible for this country’s progress. And once again, by blocking Moldova, no one is helping Ukraine,” she replied. Sandu said she had raised the issue of blocking the opening of negotiating clusters for Moldova and Ukraine during a conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar. “We want the final two clusters to be opened, as the Commission considers both countries technically ready for them. I understand that Hungary is working with the Ukrainian government on bilateral issues, and we hope that all member states will make a positive decision regarding both countries in the coming months,” she said. Sandu added that she expected positive decisions on the next two clusters at the final European Council meeting of the year.