President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, gave an interview to the Hungarian publication Válasz Online, reacting to her previous statement that she would vote for the union of the Republic of Moldova with Romania if a referendum were held. The interview was taken up and analyzed by local press, including the publication Timpul. [1]

Maia Sandu explained that this stance is driven by major concerns regarding the security and freedom of the Republic of Moldova, particularly in the context of perceived threats from the Russian Federation. The President stated: 'I want my country to be safe and I want my country to be free. Imagine Russia approaching your borders. We must find solutions, even if they seem unusual to you.' [1] [2]

Although she acknowledged the possibility of union as a security measure, Maia Sandu highlighted the current political reality. 'At this time, we do not have sufficient popular support for this solution,' she specified, explaining that efforts are focused on another strategic priority. [1] [2]

The President reiterated that, under current conditions, integration into the European Union remains the main direction pursued by the authorities in Chișinău. 'However, we have a majority that supports integration into the EU, and that is why we pursue this goal with such determination,' Maia Sandu added, thereby clarifying the geopolitical priorities of the Republic of Moldova. [1] [2]

As the story develops

Update

Maia Sandu clarified her position on union with Romania: there is no popular support, the priority remains the EU

President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, stated in an interview given to the Hungarian publication Válasz Online conducted at the beginning of October, that the idea of reunification with Romania currently lacks sufficient public support. [3]

'I want my country to be safe and I want my country to be free. Imagine Russia approaching your borders. We must find solutions, even if they seem unusual to you,' the president specified. [3]

'At this time, we do not have sufficient popular support for this solution. Instead, we have a majority that supports European integration, and that is why we pursue this goal with so much determination,' Maia Sandu affirmed. [3]

When asked to comment on whether the Republic of Moldova would be free if it became a north-eastern region of Romania, Maia Sandu indicated that sovereignty constitutes a separate category. [3]

'Regarding sovereignty, it is a different discussion. However, Romania is a democratic country compared to Russia, and Romanian citizens are free, which cannot be said about Russia.' [3]

In January 2026, Sandu declared to the British podcast 'The Rest Is Politics: Leading' that she would vote for reunification if there were a referendum, citing the difficulty for a small country like the Republic of Moldova to survive as a democracy and sovereign state in the face of Russia. [3]

In the October interview, the president drew a distinction between personal choice and public support: 'As President of the Republic of Moldova, I understand, I look at polls, that today there is no majority supporting union with Romania. [...] It is a much more realistic goal and helps us to withstand as a democracy.' [3]

Although in 2018, when leading PAS, Sandu maintained that the decision on union belonged to the people, the Prime Minister of Chișinău, Vasile Tofan, has recently redefined this vision. [3]

'Sometimes people say that Union with Romania is our Plan B, but I believe that such fundamental decisions about the future of statehood cannot be relegated to Plan B,' Tofan stated at the Euronews Enlargement Summit 2026. [3]

The Prime Minister listed the close ties between the two states: 'We have very much in common with Romania. The same history, the same language, the same culture, we were once the same country. Romania is by far our greatest friend and I believe our relationship is more than strategic, but truly fraternal.' [3]

Vasile Tofan reaffirmed that the main strategic plan of the Republic of Moldova remains accession to the EU, arguing that this would allow for subsequent union within a common Europe: 'Our Plan A is to get into the European Union and there join with Romania, as part of a common Europe.' [3]

Update

Maia Sandu: Moldova's security above union; 'We don't have enough popular support'

President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, stated in an interview with the Hungarian publication Válasz Online that union with Romania could be a solution for consolidating national security, in the context of perceived threats from Russia. [4]

'I want my country to be safe and I want my country to be free. Imagine Russia approaching your borders. We must find solutions, even if they seem unusual to you,' the president said. [4]

The interview took place on October 29, Sandu being asked to comment on her previous statement, made in January 2026 for the British podcast 'The Rest Is Politics: Leading', according to which she would vote for union in the event of a referendum. null [4]

According to the same source, the president explained that her position is driven by concerns regarding the security and freedom of the Republic of Moldova, against the backdrop of threats from Russia. [4]

'I want my country to be safe and I want my country to be free. Imagine Russia approaching your borders. We must find solutions, even if they seem unusual to you,' Maia Sandu declared. [4]

The President thus reiterated that, under current conditions, integration into the European Union represents the main direction pursued by the authorities in Chișinău. [4]

Categories:
International Relations
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RomaniaUniunea EuropeanaRepublica MoldovaRusiaUngaria

Sources

  1. MediaFax Maia Sandu, declarații în presa maghiară despre unirea Moldovei cu România
  2. G4Media Maia Sandu, declarații despre unirea cu România în presa maghiară: ”Imaginați-vă că Rusia se apropie de granițele voastre. Trebuie să căutați soluții, chiar dacă acestea vi se pot părea neobișnuite”
  3. Adevărul Maia Sandu, noi declarații despre unirea Republicii Moldova cu România: „Nu avem suficient sprijin popular pentru această soluție”
  4. Gândul Maia Sandu a declarat în presa maghiară că unirea Moldovei cu România ar fi o soluție pentru consolidarea securității pe fondul agresiunii ruse