On Thursday (27 August), Moldova marks 35 years of independence, and for the first time in its history, the day will be marked with a military parade through Chișinău.
That single fact says more about European security than any communiqué.
A country whose 1994 constitution enshrines permanent neutrality has decided that 2026 is the year to put its soldiers on display. It is a signal, aimed at Moscow and Tiraspol as much as at its own citizens, that Moldova no longer believes ambiguity keeps it safe.
The signal deserves an answer from Europe, and so far it hasn’t had one.
A pattern Moldova cannot afford to repeat
