Moldova and the EU are set to deepen their defence co-operation to unprecedented levels, as Chisinau defies warnings from Moscow that closer western integration could see it face Ukraine’s fate.
Sandwiched between Ukraine and Nato and EU member Romania, the former Soviet republic has responded to Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour by turning sharply towards the west, becoming a formal candidate to join the EU and seeking to rapidly overhaul its judicial, economic and security policies.
Under an EU proposal, set to be agreed next week and seen by the Financial Times, Moldova would increase its intelligence sharing, carry out joint military exercises and be included in the bloc’s joint weapons procurement — measures that would constitute the deepest formal step to link its national defence to western partners. The country’s constitution proclaims “permanent neutrality” and rules out membership of Nato.