Moldovan President Maia Sandu has stated that she would vote in favor of unification with Romania if a referendum were held, citing the need to protect Moldova’s fragile democracy from Russian influence.
Sandu, whose pro-EU government secured a new mandate in September 2025, emphasized that small countries like Moldova face increasing difficulty surviving as sovereign democracies amid growing regional pressures.
“If we had a referendum, I would vote for unification with Romania… It is becoming increasingly difficult for a small country like Moldova to survive as a democracy, as a sovereign state, and certainly to resist Russia,” Sandu said in a podcast interview with the British program The Rest is Politics.
Public Opinion and Romanian Citizenship
Around 1.5 million Moldovans hold Romanian citizenship, yet recent polls suggest only one-third support reunification. Sandu acknowledged that the majority of citizens do not share her position, describing European Union integration as a more realistic objective.
EU Membership and Reform Agenda
Sandu’s government aims for Moldova to join the EU by 2030, requiring significant reforms in the face of Russian opposition. The pro-Russian Socialist Party last held power in 2020.
Historical Context
Moldova was part of Romania between World Wars I and II and was later annexed by the Soviet Union during World War II. The country gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the USSR.
Key Takeaway: Sandu’s remarks underscore Moldova’s delicate geopolitical position between EU aspirations and Russian influence, highlighting potential shifts in regional alignment should public opinion evolve.
