US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Chisinau, Moldova, marking the beginning of a brief European tour aimed at reinforcing Western support for Ukraine among NATO allies and neighboring countries. Blinken’s visit comes as Ukraine is under increasing pressure from intensified Russian attacks in the east, and Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warnings that allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russia could spark a global conflict.
In Chisinau, Blinken is scheduled to meet with pro-European President Maia Sandu and other senior officials. U.S. officials indicate that Moldova, with its extensive border with Ukraine, is currently facing significant Russian “influence operations.” Jim O’Brien, the top US diplomat for Europe, hinted that the United States is likely to announce a substantial support package aimed at bolstering Moldova’s energy independence, although he did not provide specific details.
Under President Sandu’s leadership, Moldova has firmly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is striving to join the European Union. The country has significantly reduced its reliance on Russian natural gas and is actively diversifying its electricity supply sources. O’Brien noted that while Washington has not observed a direct military threat from Russia towards Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdniestria, where Russian forces have been present since the early 1990s, the situation remains delicate.
Moldova, which plans to hold a referendum in October to enshrine its EU membership aspirations in its constitution, views its security as closely linked to Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian advances. Olga Rosca, the Moldovan president’s foreign policy adviser, emphasized that supporting Moldova strengthens Ukraine, given the 1,200-kilometer border the two countries share. Blinken’s visit is seen as a strong endorsement of Moldova’s democratic choices and its aspirations towards EU membership.
Later this week, Blinken will travel to Prague for an informal gathering of NATO foreign ministers. This meeting will focus on preparations for a July summit in Washington, with significant discussions expected on advancing support for Ukraine. O’Brien stated that while there is no anticipation of an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO immediately, there will be substantial support to help Ukraine build its future force and make necessary reforms to facilitate eventual NATO membership.
The United States, along with European allies, has been working to support Ukraine in building a long-term defense force. Individual NATO members, including the U.S., are also negotiating bilateral agreements with Ukraine to provide further assistance. As the war in Ukraine continues into its third year, Western allies are deliberating on strategies to halt Russian military advances, with Putin frequently invoking the risk of a global conflict.
A critical issue under discussion is whether Western allies will permit Ukraine to use their supplied weapons to strike inside Russia. This topic is expected to be addressed at the upcoming meeting in Prague. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has advocated for alliance members to allow Ukraine to utilize their weapons against targets within Russia, a stance supported by some European members but not by the United States.
Blinken’s visit underscores the ongoing efforts to unify NATO allies and neighboring countries in support of Ukraine, amidst rising tensions and complex geopolitical dynamics. Moldova’s strategic position and its evolving relationship with both the EU and NATO are pivotal as the region navigates through these challenging times.
