On 18 November, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleхandr Mischenko, while on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova, took part in the Moldova Security Forum (MSF) — a strategic platform for high-level discussions on security and countering hybrid threats in the region. This year’s Forum focused on countering disinformation, cyberattacks, external interference in electoral processes, and energy coercion. The event brought together representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, expert and academic communities, media, and civil society from more than 30 countries. The Forum was officially opened by President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu.
Speaking during the panel discussion “Resilience Under Pressure: Strength and Solidarity for Moldova and Beyond”, Oleхandr Mischenko emphasized that Ukraine and Moldova — one confronting Russia’s full-scale military aggression, and the other facing constant hybrid pressure from Russia — jointly defend European stability, security, and democracy. He expressed gratitude to the Moldovan people for their solidarity and stressed that the resilience of both states is fundamental to the security of the entire region.
The Ukrainian diplomat underscored that the threat posed by Russia is existential and will not disappear on its own. “Russia rejects equality and freedom as the foundations of civilized interstate relations, seeking instead a world governed by force and spheres of influence. This is why the international community must make every effort to safeguard the sovereignty and strengthen the resilience of Ukraine and Moldova — not only through defence, but also through strong institutions, economic stability, and trusted partnerships,” Oleхandr Mischenko said.
The Deputy Minister called on international partners to further expand their comprehensive support for Ukraine, particularly in the areas of air defence, long-range capabilities, investment in the defence-industrial sector, as well as strengthening sanctions and the diplomatic isolation of Russia.
Alongside Oleхandr Mischenko, participants of the panel discussion included: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova Mihai Popșoi; State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania Ana Tincă; Head of the NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova Michaela Gérard Simak; Director and Special Envoy for Cooperation with Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Niklas Wagner; Director for Foreign Intelligence and Cyber Issues at the Ministry of Defence of Sweden Lisa Gustafsson; and Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Ambassador Kęstutis Kudzmanas. The discussion was moderated by Robert Lupițu, Editor-in-Chief of Caleaeuropeana.ro.