On 8 October, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko participated in the Third Moldova Security Forum (MSF-2026) in Chișinău, dedicated to strengthening democratic resilience, countering contemporary security threats, and advancing international partnerships.

This year’s Forum, opened by President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu, brought together more than 700 representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organisations, the expert community, civil society, and the business sector.

Olexandr Mischenko addressed the plenary session entitled “New Frontlines: How Moldova’s Partnerships Strengthen Resilience and Security”, which also featured Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova Mihai Popșoi, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Partnerships Kevin Hamilton, Head of the European Peace Facility Division at the European External Action Service Dorota Dłouchy-Suliga, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Moldova for Development and Resilience Dorin Recean, and Deputy Director General for Research and Scientific Affairs at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs András Rácz.

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister stressed that Russia’s full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine remains the principal threat to security and stability across the European continent, with its consequences directly affecting neighbouring countries, including the Republic of Moldova.

Olexandr Mischenko highlighted three key factors underpinning Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression: the heroism and professionalism of Ukraine’s Defence Forces, the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the steadfast support of international partners.

“These three factors are inextricably linked. Weakening any one of them would jeopardise our common security. That is why further strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities and preserving international unity are essential prerequisites for countering Russian aggression,” the Deputy Minister emphasised.

Particular attention was paid to the direct threats to the security of the Republic of Moldova, including repeated violations of its airspace resulting from Russian aerial attacks against Ukraine. In this context, Olexandr Mischenko underscored the importance of deepening practical Ukrainian-Moldovan cooperation, particularly through real-time information sharing, the development of early warning systems, and enhanced coordination between the relevant authorities of both countries.

The Deputy Minister stressed that Ukraine is not merely a recipient of international security assistance but also an important partner in strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities and resilience. Ukraine’s unique practical experience gained in resisting Russian aggression, particularly in countering unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and crisis management, is of considerable value to its European partners.

“By defending its own independence and territorial integrity, Ukraine is also defending the security of Europe as a whole. Our country must be regarded as an integral part of our common European defence against a shared threat,” Olexandr Mischenko emphasised.

He reaffirmed Ukraine’s unwavering determination to continue its struggle to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed the unacceptability of any scenario involving capitulation to the Russian aggressor.

The Deputy Minister also expressed gratitude to the Republic of Moldova and the Moldovan people for their consistent support for Ukraine, as well as to international partners for their solidarity and practical assistance in countering Russian aggression.

The Ukrainian diplomat separately emphasised the importance of Ukraine and Moldova advancing towards European Union membership in a joint and coordinated manner, while maintaining mutual support throughout their respective accession processes.

During the Forum, Olexandr Mischenko visited the Ukrainian stand featuring the Living The War VR project, an innovative Ukrainian public diplomacy initiative that uses virtual reality technology to introduce international audiences to the real-life stories of Ukrainians and the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

On the margins of the Forum, the Deputy Minister also gave interviews and provided comments to Moldovan and international media, highlighting regional security challenges, the threats posed by Russia to Ukraine and Moldova, prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation, and the importance of both countries’ European integration for strengthening stability and security across Europe.