Presidency of the Republic of Moldova
"Dear Madam Administrator Power,
Dear Samantha, welcome back to Chisinau!
This time, we meet again in a very dramatic context for Ukraine, but also for all of us.
What is happening now in Ukrainian towns and villages is appalling. The images of the atrocities committed in the destroyed streets of Bucea have left us speechless. These are crimes against humanity. The Ukrainian authorities and international organizations are reporting serious crimes against civilians in Irpen and Borodeanka.
Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes because of the war. Many of them lost their homes. Thousands of innocent people, including children, were killed.
It is hard to believe that these horrors are happening in the 21st century and close to our border. Ukraine, our neighbour and friend, is today experiencing a tragedy that is hard to describe. A tragedy that concerns us all. This war must be stopped.
The Republic of Moldova called for peace from the first day of military aggression. We strongly condemned Russia's war against Ukraine. We have been involved in helping refugees from Ukraine who found shelter in our country.
The citizens of the Republic of Moldova have stood in solidarity with people from Ukraine since the first days of the war. Tens of thousands of people- volunteers, policemen, civil servants, doctors, mayors, businessmen, and citizens joined their efforts to help refugees in Ukraine.
Today, Moldova hosts 96 000 refugees from the neighbouring country, and half of them are children. More than 80,000 are staying in the homes our citizens. This is a very large number for us. Basically, the country's population has increased by 4% over these six weeks. We need help.
We are grateful for Mr. Ambassador Logsdon's recent announcement that the United States will support refugees in the Republic of Moldova over the next few months with $30 million.
We also appreciate the U.S. Government's decision to provide additional funding for the U.S. Embassy’s programmes to mitigate the impact of the war on our country's economy.
Dear Mrs. Power,
It is clear that our country will feel the consequences of this war for a long time from now on. We are already hit hard by rising fuel and energy prices, and by the disruption of imports and exports from Eastern markets. We are now looking for quick solutions to open other markets for Moldovan products.
We need the support of our partners to strengthen Moldova's economic resilience and energy independence.
As I told Secretary of State Antony Blinken, we want to continue our plans to improve life conditions in Moldova. Despite all the difficulties and crises, we want to succeed in building a competitive, innovative and resilient country. A state that values its people and invests in them.
In this context, we are grateful for the consistent support of the United States for the democratic transformation process of the Republic of Moldova, for the support in the economic field, including through USAID programs- the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The U.S. has always supported our efforts over 30 years, in order to strengthen society and economy and to build a democratic state.
We appreciate the U.S. support for Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity and for our European path.
Dear Samantha,
Strengthening the Moldovan-American partnership will help us withstand current challenges and develop in the benefit of our citizens.
But development requires peace. Now, we must do everything we can, to restore peace in Ukraine. The international community must make all efforts to stop Russian military aggression, to prevent further loss of life, war crimes and destruction.
This is our duty, it is the moral duty of all the countries of the free world, and of all people of good faith. To give Ukrainians hope for tomorrow, because peace must triumph.
