Keeping Moldova out of the European Union does nothing to help Ukraine. Chisinau cannot answer for Kyiv’s internal reforms any more than Ukraine can push through changes in Moldova, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in an interview with Válasz Online, arguing that stalling her country’s bid does nothing for its neighbor.

Moldova and Ukraine have moved toward the EU in step since 2022, with their bids deliberately linked, and Sandu has long refused to advance alone. Both states are now judged technically ready to open the last two negotiation clusters on their way to EU accession.

“By blocking Moldova, no one is helping Ukraine”

Asked about Moldova and Ukraine moving toward the EU separately, Sandu did not say outright that she wants the two accession tracks split, but stressed that she is responsible for her own country’s progress.

Moldova, she continued, wants Ukraine in the bloc, because its strategic interest is to be ringed by member states.

“We really want Ukraine to become part of the EU. Our strategic interests are to be surrounded by EU member states. We understand how hard it is for Ukraine to implement all these reforms, especially when bombs are falling on their state institutions and people,” Sandu stated.

At the same time, she said, Moldova cannot solve Ukraine’s internal problems, just as Kyiv cannot carry out reforms in Chisinau’s place.

Both ready for the last two clusters,

“I am responsible for the progress of this country. And once again: by blocking Moldova, no one is helping Ukraine,” Sandu said.

She stated that she had raised the stalled opening of negotiation clusters for both countries with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, whose government has favored a slower pace than an all-at-once push.

Both countries are technically ready to open their last two clusters, she said, a readiness the European Commission’s assessment confirms.

She added that she hopes all EU members will back a positive decision on Ukraine and Moldova in the coming months, with the next two clusters decided at the European Council’s final meeting of the year.