European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a significant €1.8 billion financial aid package for Moldova during her visit to the country on October 10. This funding will be distributed over three years and aims to bolster Moldova’s economy and infrastructure, with a focus on schools, hospitals, and energy networks.
The announcement comes at a critical time for Moldova, a small country caught between pro-European aspirations and Russian pressure, especially as it approaches key presidential and referendum elections later this month. Von der Leyen expressed strong support for Moldova’s European Union membership ambitions.
Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu, who has been leading the country’s shift toward the EU since taking office in 2020, is running for re-election on October 20. On the same day, voters will also decide in a referendum whether the country should move forward with EU membership.
Von der Leyen, while stopping short of telling Moldovans how to vote, encouraged high turnout in both elections, describing them as a vital moment for the country to exercise its “free and sovereign choice.” This moment is seen as pivotal, given the challenges Moldova faces from Russian influence and its troops stationed in the separatist Transdniester region.
EU Backs Moldova with €1.8 Billion in Aid, Supporting Economy and European Aspirations Ahead of Elections
Under Sandu’s leadership, Moldova has aligned itself more closely with the West, condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and actively participating in EU sanctions against Moscow. Moldova secured EU candidate status in 2022 and opened membership negotiations earlier this year.
These moves have drawn the ire of Russia, which continues to exert influence in Moldova and portray itself as a more favorable partner. Von der Leyen’s visit and financial support announcement serve as a counterbalance to Russia’s efforts to destabilize the pro-European government in Chisinau.
The €1.8 billion aid package is intended to help Moldova strengthen key sectors, including education, healthcare, and energy infrastructure. Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU’s financial support will contribute to long-term growth by investing in areas that generate economic development, such as repairing schools, building hospitals, and improving transportation links with Moldova’s neighbors.
Additionally, the package aims to modernize Moldova’s energy systems, helping the country reduce its reliance on Russian energy sources.
Moldova’s upcoming elections and referendum represent a crucial juncture for its future direction. The European Union, under von der Leyen’s leadership, is making clear its desire for Moldova to join the bloc, but the country must first overcome internal challenges, including Russian interference and longstanding corruption issues.
Von der Leyen praised President Sandu for her dedication to judicial reforms, anti-corruption measures, and efforts to curb oligarchic influence. Sandu expressed gratitude for the EU’s financial support, viewing it as a testament to the confidence in Moldova’s potential to develop further along its European path.
