European leaders boost Moldova in face of ‘relentless’ Russia
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Leaders from France, Germany and Poland have travelled to Moldova to show support for the country's accession to the EU and warn of Russia's "relentless" efforts to undermine that ambition.
The visit comes as Moldova marks 34 years of independence from Moscow, declared as the Soviet Union fell apart.
But it is also taking place a month before critical parliamentary elections in which the EU and the Moldovan government fear pro-Russian elements could gain ground.
Flanked by European heads of state, Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu told her country that it proved EU membership was "not a distant dream, but a project we are working on", one that is vital as a guarantee of security.
"The merciless war that Russia wages again...