Leaders from France, Germany, and Poland have travelled to Moldova to show support for the country's accession to the EU and warn of Russia's relentless efforts to undermine that ambition.
The visit comes as Moldova marks 34 years of independence from Moscow, declared as the Soviet Union fell apart.
But it is also taking place a month before critical parliamentary elections in which the EU and the Moldovan government fear pro-Russian elements could gain ground.
Flanked by European heads of state, Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu told her country that it proved EU membership was not a distant dream, but a project we are working on, one that is vital as a guarantee of security.
The merciless war that Russia wages against Ukraine shows us daily that Europe means freedom and peace, whilst Putin's Russia means war and death, the president said.
Today, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that is because Moscow is trying relentlessly to undermine freedom and prosperity in Moldova, as Vladimir Putin attempts to return it to Russia's fold.
In Chisinau, she laid out the red carpet for her guests, greeting each of the leaders in turn before leading them up steps lined by soldiers standing to attention in white, elaborately embroidered capes.
Inside, in front of EU flags, President Emmanuel Macron described membership of the bloc as the clear and sovereign choice of Moldova and said he was there to convey a message of solidarity and confidence in that process from France.
