Finnish President: “The strategic window is open now” for Moldova

“The strategic window is open now” for Moldova, and the country must take advantage of this opportunity on its European path, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said at a joint press conference in Helsinki with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

“Sooner rather than later, I believe the strategic window is open now and we need to use it. The resilience that Moldova has demonstrated in countering Russian hybrid influence is something we can learn more from,” Stubb said.

The Finnish president also condemned drone attacks on border crossings between Ukraine and Moldova. He said Finland wants to see a permanent end to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and stressed that the way the war ends will have a profound impact on European security and a direct effect on European countries.

“Moldova was recently targeted by Russian drone attacks on border crossings between Ukraine and Moldova. Finland strongly condemns these attacks. We provide strong support to Moldova, and we are both firm and active supporters of Ukraine. We want to see a permanent end to Russia’s aggression. The way this war ends will have a profound impact on European security and a direct effect on our European countries,” the Finnish president said.

Stubb stressed that Moldova is important to European security and that the country’s place is in the European Union. According to the Finnish president, Moldova and its citizens have demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to a European future. He also praised Sandu’s personal commitment to the European agenda.

“Moldova is important for European security. Moldova’s place is in the European Union. Moldova belongs to the family of European liberal democracies. Moldova and its citizens have demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to a European future. I also admire your personal commitment to this agenda. Finland remains committed to supporting Moldova’s path toward EU membership,” Stubb said.

Moldova is strengthening its defense and security capabilities amid the war in Ukraine and growing hybrid threats.

“Our response is to become stronger,” Sandu said at the joint press conference in Helsinki with Stubb.

The Finnish president said the two leaders had discussed bilateral relations, European security, hybrid threats, the situation in Ukraine and Moldova’s European integration.

They also discussed Finland’s comprehensive security model and the country’s experience with NATO’s Partnership for Peace program before Finland joined the Alliance in 2023.

Sandu is on an official visit to Finland, where she is discussing bilateral cooperation, European security and support for Moldova’s European path with Finnish officials. Sandu and Stubb are due to open the 2026 Helsinki Security Forum, organized by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.

Photo: Presidency of Moldova