Moldova Hosts the EPC Summit #4
Plenary Session of the EPC
EPC Coverage from Moldova Matters: Today Moldova Matters is covering the European Political Community Summit held in Moldova at Castel Mimi winery. We’ll post updates in a sequence of quick-hit articles over the course of the day as well as shorter posts on Substack Notes. If you missed our earlier posts see the end of this article for links back to them.
The Plenary Session of the EPC - European Solidarity and Defeating Russia
President Sandu opened the plenary session of the EPC by discussing European Solidarity in the face of the Russian threat. She noted that by meeting here 20 km away from Ukraine the gathered nations showed clear European support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Speaking of her hopes for the summit she said that the EPC represents “… a single European Family of states inside and outside the EU who work together to promote peace and security on the continent.”
Next to speak was Ukrainian President Zelenskyy who opened by noting that
"here in Moldova we don't hear air raid sirens and the sound of Russian artillery" … [but] "not so long ago Russia was convinced that the evil they brought to Ukraine they would be able to bring to Moldova. They were days away…"
The Ukrainian President focused his remarks on 3 primary goals:
To build a “coalition of fighter jets” to defend the Ukrainian skies
To build a “coalition of Patriots” so that Ukraine could obtain more Patriot air defense systems in addition to the 2 they already have from the US and Germany
Full membership for Ukraine and all free countries that border Russia in both NATO and the EU
Speaking about NATO President Zelensky said:
"Russia is afraid of NATO and tried to swallow all countries outside this security space. They threaten to leave frozen conflicts when they cannot swallow a whole country"
…
"when there are no security guarantees there are only war guarantees"
He further spoke about the frozen conflict with Transnistria which could become “hot at any time” asking how Europe can tolerate this behavior? The President said that the only alternative to NATO for a country bordering Russia is “war or creeping occupation.” Specifically he called out the cases of Georgia and Belarus which he said that Russia is digesting in “different ways.”
President Zelenskyy ended his speech saying "Salut Moldova, Slava Ukraine"
Next to speak was Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who gave an impassioned speech that started with noting the President Zelenskyy and Ukraine have impressed the world by showing how “difficult it can be to be a free people and sovereign nation.” She went on to say:
…we are here to remind ourself that Europe is not simply rules and interests. Before everything it is a civilization. Founded on the idea that men are free and equal. Values from which depend also ideas like solidarity, ...rule of law. We are here to remind that we will not allow that those principals [to be] discussed. [For] those principals [to be] destroyed. By those who think they can bring us back to the most difficult years of the last century. That is why we are here near Ukraine helping Ukraine at 360 degrees for all the time that will be needed.
The Prime Minister went on to voice her support for Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and the countries of the Western Balkans to move towards EU membership. She said that this is not about enlarging the EU but about "coming back together."
Following this speech President Sandu recognized Romanian President Klaus Iohannis who also noted the solidarity with Ukraine on display at the summit. He praised the Moldovan government for dealing with 2 major challenges concurrently - implementing reforms aimed at joining the EU and managing hybrid threats from Russia. President Iohannis noted Romania’s support for Moldova in the past and affirmed future support by once again saying “Moldova is not alone.” He finished he speech with strong support for Ukraine saying that the summit must show “unwavering support in defeating Russia and rebuilding Ukraine.”
The final speaker of the plenary session was Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte who started by noting the the Moldovan people and Maia Sandu are "are an example to us all" speaking of Moldova’s resilience in the midst of crisis and hybrid threats. He went on to say that his short speech would have only 1 point:
"Ukraine must win. We must do all we can to make this possible"
The Prime Minister then voiced his strong support for Ukraine’s desire for a coalition of fighter jets saying that the Netherlands would begin training Ukrainian pilots on the F16 as soon as possible. He further voiced support for a “Coalition of Patriots” saying that he would focus his time at the summit to convincing as many countries as possible to join this effort. The Prime Minister concluded with a statement focused on showing the resolve of those supporting Ukraine noting that “in every war there are setbacks.” He said that we hope there will not be any but that setbacks are a fact of life. Addressing this case he said:
...if setbacks come Ukraine must know they can count on us. The answer to setbacks should be more humanitarian support not less. More financial support not less. More military support not less.
Following this speech President Sandu thanked the speakers and asked that because things were a bit behind schedule they would try and take the “family photo” as quickly as possible before moving to breakout group meetings.
If you missed it see: