---
title: "Moldova marks 35th independence day amid EU push and Russian threats "
url: https://moldova1.md/p/84090/moldova-marks-35th-independence-day-amid-eu-push-and-russian-threats
published: 2026-08-27T15:30:35Z
language: en
author: "Ana Cebotari"
section: "Political"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Moldova marks 35th independence day amid EU push and Russian threats 

> Moldova marked its 35th independence anniversary on Thursday as President Maia Sandu urged national resilience against Russian hybrid threats and Prime Minister Vasile Tofan reaffirmed plans to sign an EU accession treaty by 2028.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/1a827689-4beb-4707-9a4e-1d0409f4019d.jpg)

Moldova marked its 35th independence anniversary on Thursday as President Maia Sandu urged national resilience against Russian hybrid threats and Prime Minister Vasile Tofan reaffirmed plans to sign an EU accession treaty by 2028.

Addressing the nation on August 27, Sandu honored the generation behind the late 1980s National Rebirth movement that secured Moldova's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, stressing that modern citizens must now consolidate democratic institutions.

*"They did their duty—they created an independent state. Our duty is to help it grow,"* Sandu said. She warned of escalating hybrid pressures, pointing to Moscow's illegal military presence in the breakaway Transnistria region, hostile propaganda, airspace violations by drones, and illicit funds aimed at destabilizing the country from within.

Sandu emphasized that pluralism reinforces rather than undermines national cohesion on Chisinau's path toward European integration. *"Independence does not require us to be identical, but to be free together,"* she said. *"Our shared direction is toward the European Union, where identity is respected, not controlled."*

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan separately echoed the pro-European trajectory during an interview with public broadcaster Radio Moldova, voicing confidence in the country's accession timeline.

*"Moldova will definitely take this step toward the EU. We hope and believe we will sign the accession treaty in 2028 and join the EU shortly thereafter,"* Tofan said, highlighting growing interest among young expatriates to return home.

While acknowledging economic strain on households amid ongoing structural reforms, Tofan urged citizens to maintain confidence in democratic gains. *"No matter how difficult daily life is, it is essential to keep hope, work together, and ensure the government meets people's expectations,"* he added.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**