Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova on the agenda of the European Council

Gathered for two days in Brussels, the European leaders discussed Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the situation in the Middle East

Corina Cristea, 18.10.2024, 14:00

The situation in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, EU competitiveness and migration management, as well as talks about the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and high energy prices are on the agenda of the European leaders gathered for two days in Brussels for the autumn European Council. Attending the summit, President Klaus Iohannis pleaded for a firm message from the Union to support the Republic of Moldova in the European integration process, especially in the current electoral context, condemning Moscow’s destabilization attempts.

Presidential elections will take place on Sunday in the former Soviet republic, as well as a referendum to amend the Constitution, so that it provides for the country’s accession to the European Union. European support for the Republic of Moldova must be achieved by all necessary means, on the economic, financial and security levels, believes the Romanian head of state, who welcomed, at the same time, the recent visit to Chisinau by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the launch of a Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova. EU heads of state and government condemned the interference of the Russian Federation in the democratic processes in Chisinau and welcomed the adoption of the third package of sanctions against those responsible for actions aimed at undermining the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova.

At the same time, the European Council reaffirmed its full support for the European course of this candidate country and for its progress on the path of reforms and stability. Addressing the participants in the summit, the president of Ukraine urged the leaders of the Union to accept his plans to strengthen Kyiv’s military positions in order to force Russia to sit down at the table of peace negotiations. Volodymyr Zelensky called for an accelerated accession of his country to NATO and the permission to use Western long-range weapons. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, if his plan is implemented, the war with Russia will end in 2025.

In another move, considering the commemoration of one year since the dramatic events of October 7, 2023, the European Council strongly condemned the attack on Israel and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and hostages of Hamas. At the same time, the leaders called for the immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and the improvement of access and distribution of humanitarian assistance, reiterating their commitment to the two-state solution. (MI)