Maia Sandu: I want my country safe amidst threats from Russia and considering unification with Romania
President Maia Sandu says Moldova’s security and the risk of Russian aggression spreading are the main reasons she would support unification with Romania in a potential referendum. She argues that, amid external threats, even solutions that might seem unusual under other circumstances should be considered.
"I want my country to be safe, and I want my country to be free. Imagine Russia approaching your borders. You have to look for solutions, even if they might seem strange to you," stated Maia Sandu in an interview with the Hungarian publication Válasz Online.
However, such an option does not currently enjoy the necessary support within society. The President noted that the authorities are focusing their efforts on accession to the European Union—a goal supported by a majority of citizens.
"At present, we do not have sufficient popular support for this solution. We do, however, have a majority that supports European integration, which is why we are pursuing this path with such determination," the head of state explained.
Unification with Romania would alter the Republic of Moldova’s sovereign status, but it would not jeopardize the freedoms of its citizens, according to Maia Sandu.
"As for sovereignty, that is a separate discussion; but Romania is a democratic country—unlike Russia—and its citizens are free, which cannot be said of Russia," the President said.
In Maia Sandu’s view, the Republic of Moldova would have faced a major threat had the Russian army succeeded in occupying southern Ukraine and reaching the country's borders. "It is clear that Russia’s imperialism does not stop in Ukraine. Therefore, had it reached our borders—or the borders of other countries—it would have attempted to advance further," the head of state said.
In this context, European integration is viewed not merely as a project for modernization and economic development, but also as a means to safeguard the democratic future of the Republic of Moldova.
"I want to see Moldova in the European Union—all the more so because the coming decade will be fraught with uncertainty, and the world will become even more complex—perhaps even more dangerous—for small nations like Moldova. For us, European integration is a survival strategy: a way to remain a democratic country and to become part of a family where we will be safer, in addition to being more developed and modernized", stated Maia Sandu.
The topic of a potential union between the Republic of Moldova and Romania is not new to Maia Sandu’s public statements. In January 2026, speaking on the British podcast The Rest Is Politics, the President affirmed that she would vote in favor of reunification in the event of a referendum, citing the growing difficulties small states face in protecting their democracy and sovereignty against external threats.
These remarks triggered reactions on both sides of the Prut. In Chișinău, the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova—led by Igor Dodon—accused Maia Sandu of treason and demanded her resignation, while also calling on law enforcement authorities to investigate her statements. In Romania, several politicians welcomed the President’s position, noting that any potential reunification must reflect citizens' will.
Subsequently, Maia Sandu clarified that the conditions for holding a referendum on unification do not exist, as this option lacks majority support. According to the Public Opinion Barometer from September 2025, approximately 33% of respondents would have voted in favor of unification with Romania, while 45.7% would have voted against it.
