The Telegraph names Moldova’s Maia Sandu World Leader of the Year for 2025
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has been named World Leader of the Year by the British publication The Telegraph.
The prestigious outlet featured her in an extensive profile as part of its "World Leaders 2025" series.
British journalists highlighted Sandu’s personal modesty and austere lifestyle. In a stark departure from the typical behavior of heads of state, she frequently travels on commercial flights, including low-cost carriers.
The most significant electoral victory in Europe
The publication noted that Sandu maintained public trust despite a relentless series of crises, including the war in Ukraine, energy pressures, and high inflation. Her 2024 re-election is described as one of Europe’s most vital electoral victories.
According to The Telegraph, this win represented the most serious political setback of the year for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moscow reportedly deployed one of the most extensive interference campaigns ever witnessed by Western diplomats to sway the vote.
A laboratory for hybrid warfare
The article emphasizes Moldova’s strategic importance in regional security. It suggests that a political shift in Chisinau would have triggered severe consequences for Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank.
Sandu is portrayed as a leader who has "largely single-handedly" kept her nation on a democratic, pro-European path. The report describes Moldova as a "laboratory" for Russian hybrid tactics, ranging from disinformation and cyberattacks to illicit funding.
In a challenging year for European democracies, the British publication concludes that Maia Sandu has become a symbol of civic resilience. She stands as the final and most representative figure in their 2025 world leadership rankings.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
