European leaders boost Moldova in face of 'relentless' Russia

France, Germany and Poland leaders travel to state to back EU accession plan weeks before key election.

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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.