Ukraine is ready to contribute to developing the defence capabilities of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Chisinau on Thursday, at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Romanian President Nicusor Dan.

'Ukraine is ready to contribute to developing the defence capabilities of our neighbours, Romania and the Republic of Moldova. We want to continue taking joint steps towards achieving even better results in this area,' Zelensky said at the joint press conference held alongside events marking the 35th anniversary of the Republic of Moldova's independence.



'Of course, we will coordinate our efforts every time with regard to European integration as well. This is very important because we have the same goal,' he added.

'Our goal is to become a member of the European Union, and we are very grateful to our neighbours for providing us with full support in our relations with the European Union, at the level of the European institutions. And, undoubtedly, we will find ourselves together in the European Union,' Zelensky stressed, according to the Romanian translation of his statement, which he delivered in Ukrainian.

'We expect to achieve as many quick and very concrete results as possible on our path towards accession,' he added.

Zelensky also pointed out that it is 'very important for all of us to be together, exactly as we are today: Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Romania.'

He noted that his visit to Chisinau on the day the Republic of Moldova celebrates 35 years of independence 'represents more than a symbolic gesture.'

'When you are a neighbour of Russia, you need to be able to cooperate as closely as possible with all your other neighbours, with all nations. This is an absolutely key precondition for achieving the highest possible level of security and for enabling our countries to develop to their fullest,' he added.

Zelensky said he is 'very grateful to all the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and Romania for having consistently supported Ukraine' at 'every moment of the war.'

He mentioned that over the past 24 hours, 'in Kyiv alone, there were 11 air raid alerts due to Shahed drones and ballistic missiles. Unfortunately, for our citizens, these air raid alerts and ballistic missile attacks have become a constant.'

'We all realise how abnormal Russia is. For this reason, we must be able to help one another so that any attempt, any threat against us, is met appropriately. We are trying to strengthen our infrastructure. We are trying to strengthen our country's economic potential and national security,' the Ukrainian head of state said.

'It is very important that absolutely everything that can genuinely contribute to the resilience of our states be put into action. We already have certain agreements signed between the governments of our countries. We greatly appreciate your willingness to work with us and to ensure that we can act with full capacity to address all the threats and attempts to block our ports. The Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Romania are natural allies, natural partners across all logistics chains and in many areas, and we must contribute to strengthening this alliance because it makes us stronger,' Zelensky concluded. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Ionut Mares; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)

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