Moldovan President Maia Sandu: 'For us, joining the EU is not a dream but a survival strategy as a democratic state'

Maia Sandu, president of the Republic of Moldova, at the presidential palace in Chisinau, April 24, 2026. ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI FOR LE MONDE

Maia Sandu has served as president of Moldova since 2020 and was re-elected for a second term in 2024. Her country, with a population of 2.8 million, is one of nine states officially applying for membership in the European Union (EU).

Are you optimistic about Moldova's accession to the EU by 2030?

We have made a commitment to our people that we will have the country ready for EU integration by 2030. We have been working very hard. Of course, there are still important reforms that we need to finalize, but we're working on all of them. Fighting corruption and reforming justice has been the main commitment not only with respect to the EU, but also and especially with respect to our citizens. I do believe that we are seeing the first results. We are seeing convictions in cases of big corruption.

Some member states are hesitant about Ukraine joining the EU, while Moldova and Ukraine are supposed to join at the same time. Could this affect your country's accession?