President Volodymyr Zelensky and Moldovan President Maia Sandu held a joint press conference in Kyiv on Sunday, April 26, emphasizing that both nations are ready to begin formal negotiations for EU membership.
Sandu stressed that both Moldova and Ukraine have met the necessary criteria and that the EU must now demonstrate unity by opening negotiation clusters without further delay.
“Chornobyl 40 years ago taught us about shared vulnerability; Russia’s war today teaches it again,” Sandu stated, linking the European path to regional security. Zelensky echoed this sentiment, noting that the two states are moving toward the EU as partners and deserve to be part of a “strong, united Europe.”
The discussions focused on deepening cooperation in security, infrastructure, and energy. Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for Moldova regarding the Transnistrian region and highlighted the development of trilateral formats with Romania, particularly in cross-border power lines and transport routes.
“The more real connections between our energy systems, the more protection there will be for our people,” the Ukrainian President remarked.
The push for full integration comes as Kyiv remains firm against alternative models of accession. Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha rejected any “ersatz membership” or symbolic integration plans – such as those reportedly proposed by France and Germany – that would limit voting rights or access to the EU budget.
This diplomatic front coincides with a breakthrough in Brussels, where the EU recently approved a €90-billion loan for Ukraine and its 20th sanctions package against Russia.
As the “Energy Ramstein” conference also concluded in Kyiv today with pledges of €100 million for grid repairs, the synchronized efforts of Ukraine and Moldova signal a concerted drive to secure their place in the European fold amid ongoing Russian aggression.