Macron, Merz, Tusk to visit Moldova to back its ‘security, sovereignty’

The leaders of France, Germany and Poland are to visit Moldova on August 27 in a show of support for the EU-candidate country, which accuses Russia of seeking to destabilise it, the Elysee said on Friday (August 22, 2025).

At the invitation of pro-European President Maia Sandu, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will travel to capital of Chisinau on the country’s 34th anniversary of independence to “reaffirm their full support for Moldova’s security, sovereignty, and European path,” it added.

Ms. Sandu, a vocal critic of Russia, in particular since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has repeatedly accused Moscow of political interference. The former Soviet republic lies between Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania.

In July, she accused Russia of plotting to interfere in September’s national elections through disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, and paid “violent” protests.

Mr. Macron, during a March meeting with Ms. Sandu, condemned what he called Russia’s “increasingly uninhibited” attempts to destabilise Moldova and its democratic institutions.

According to a poll conducted in mid-July, Ms. Sandu’s centre-right Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) is leading with 39% support, followed by the pro-Russian opposition Socialist party at 14.9%.