President Maia Sandu called Monday for Moldovans to gather in Chișinău on May 21 for a “European Moldova National Assembly” in support of the country’s EU future, amid rising fears of Russian interference.
“I have launched the initiative to convene a citizens’ meeting in Chișinău to tell the world that we are Europeans and that this is the path we have chosen,” Sandu said in a televised address.
“I call upon everyone — farmers, teachers, students, NGOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, cultural figures, private sector employees, public officials — to come together and support our common dream,” the president added. “Let’s demonstrate that we desire peace. We want the European Union to be at home with us.”
Moldova, which was granted EU candidate status last June, has faced rising pressure from Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began last year.
In February, Sandu said the Kremlin had plans to use “militarily trained people disguised as civilians” to stage a coup in Moldova.
A few weeks later, Moldovan police said they arrested a group of men with ties to Russia who were plotting to stir unrest at anti-government protests in Chișinău.
