Addressing Moldova’s Security Concerns

Please join the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Moldovan think-tank WatchDog.MD, and the Transatlantic Democracy Working Group on Thursday, April 7 at 11:30 am EST for a virtual, closed-group discussion with the security and economic team of Moldovan President Maia Sandu. The event will feature Veaceslav Negruța, Economic Advisor to the President, Republic of Moldova and Dorin Recean, Secretary of the Supreme Security Council and Security Advisor to the President, Republic of Moldova and will be moderated by Jonathan Katz, Senior Fellow and Director, Democracy Initiatives, German Marshall Fund of the United States and Stela Leuca, Visiting Fellow at German Marshall Fund of the United States.

Moldova is facing several internal and external crises and challenges connected to Russian aggression and domestic issues. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, large numbers of Ukrainian refugees have been hosted by the Moldovan government and people. Currently, refugees from Ukraine comprise nearly about 4% of Moldova’s overall population. Russia is constantly exerting pressure on Moldova’s energy-dependent sectors, and the Kremlin’s agents of influence and disinformation are trying to strain inter-ethnic relations and destabilize or halt the process of Moldova’s European integration. The Transnistrian region also represents an increased security risk for both Moldova and Ukraine. Moreover, Moldova is facing economic problems in Moldova caused by the budget deficit, weakened by high energy expenditure. How the Republic of Moldova faces these serious challenges and how its partners and the United States can help Chisinau and Moldovans threatened by the Kremlin will be discussed at the event.

The event is intended for a limited, virtual audience, and the discussions will be held under Chatham House rule to facilitate a candid conversation. Please RSVP to John Alexander at jalexander@gmfus.org.