European leaders close ranks against Russia at Moldova summit
- As another deadly missile barrage hit Kyiv, 45 European leaders met in vulnerable Moldova at a venue only 20km from the border with war-torn Ukraine
- President Maia Sandu dubbed the summit, ‘a clear expression of our unity, strength and determination to act together as a single family’
European leaders vowed to remain united in the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Moldova on Thursday, staging a strategy summit on the continent’s political frontline.
As another deadly missile barrage hit Kyiv, and Moscow claimed to have repulsed a Ukrainian attempt to “invade” Russian soil, 45 leaders met in vulnerable Moldova.
The venue for the European Political Community summit, the Castle Mimi wine estate in the east of the country, lies only 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border with war-torn Ukraine, adding to the symbolism of the talks.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived first, making the short journey to his smaller neighbour while his own capital Kyiv counted the cost of another night of Russian strikes: three dead, including a child.
President Maia Sandu welcomed the leaders one by one under a clear blue sky patrolled by Nato early warning aircraft, hoping to boost Moldova’s stature as a small pro-Western democracy seeking European support and protection.
“Ukrainians are fighting for freedom, European values and the future of our continent,” she said.