--- title: "DW journalist Alina Kühnel on Moldova 1 TV: Moldova will receive EU support despite crisis meetings" url: https://moldova1.md/p/87820/dw-journalist-alina-kühnel-on-moldova-1-tv-moldova-will-receive-eu-support-despite-crisis-meetings published: 2026-10-16T13:40:00Z language: en author: "Violeta Viliant" section: "EU accession" source: moldova1.md --- # DW journalist Alina Kühnel on Moldova 1 TV: Moldova will receive EU support despite crisis meetings > The Republic of Moldova will remain a major beneficiary of the European Peace Facility, ranking just behind Ukraine. Furthermore, strengthened support for regional security and the defense industry continues to be a priority—despite disagreements regarding an increase in the European Union’s budget—stated Deutsche Welle (DW) journalist Alina Kühnel on the Moldova 1 TV. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/a6d0fac0-c0bb-49d2-bac2-2bd3cc8aa6c6.jpg) The Republic of Moldova will remain a major beneficiary of the European Peace Facility, ranking just behind Ukraine. Furthermore, strengthened support for regional security and the defense industry continues to be a priority—despite disagreements regarding an increase in the European Union’s budget—stated Deutsche Welle (DW) journalist Alina Kühnel on the Moldova 1 TV. Reluctance to increase financial contributions to the EU budget is driven by domestic economic issues—factors shaping the crisis meeting in Brussels. In this context, Alina Kühnel suggests that the discussions could take on an extraordinary character while emphasizing the importance of solidarity regarding security needs. She notes that, at this moment, the EU must project a unified stance, *“including toward Washington.”** *“Germany is, quite clearly, a very prominent voice among those opposing an increase in the EU budget. There are many reasons for this, but perhaps the most obvious is that the German economy is facing a deep crisis; increasing spending—which for Germany would mean an additional outlay of tens of billions—would send a negative signal domestically and fuel populist and nationalist sentiments. Striking a comfortable balance is quite difficult, which is why the European Union budget will likely be addressed during a special crisis meeting. That is the information we are currently receiving from Brussels,”* explained Alina Kühnel on Moldova 1. Although European states are attempting to strengthen their own defense industries, they remain dependent on American equipment. The journalist notes that while the political will exists, better organization and *“a bit of patience”* are required to see these plans through to completion. "We observe that, driven by the situation at its borders, Europe has recently begun shifting its focus toward its own defense industry; however, in the short term, it cannot yet claim military autonomy and remains heavily dependent on imports from the United States. The United States clearly has a direct interest here, as—to quote Mark Rutte [NATO Secretary General]—at least 200,000 jobs are supported by European funds. On the other hand, in the medium term—and as more European states decide to invest in their own defense industries—success will depend on their ability to translate these funds and investments into actual manufacturing facilities and, ultimately, deliver results. (...) There are many bottlenecks," noted Kühnel. In the journalist's view, support for the Republic of Moldova through the European Peace Facility reflects the country's significance within the continent's security architecture. To date, the Republic of Moldova has received assistance totaling 315 million euros through this mechanism. "It is noteworthy that, within the framework of this instrument, the Republic of Moldova ranks immediately after Ukraine—which underscores its vital role. Furthermore, Europe views the Republic of Moldova as a reliable partner situated between Romania and the conflict zone. Ensuring stability in the Republic of Moldova is crucial, and I am confident that the country will continue to receive European support in the medium and long term," emphasized Alina Kühnel. Regarding the financing of European defense and support for Ukraine, the journalist states that the programs under discussion have not been called into question during the debates on increasing expenditure. *“The good news is that, throughout these discussions taking place within the European Union concerning increased spending, this program has not been brought into doubt. On the other hand, however, it should be noted that the 800 billion figure represents the estimated potential for mobilizing financial resources from all member states willing to participate in this armament fund. We cannot say for certain that this 800 billion is guaranteed. In the coming months, we will likely see exactly what the final figures turn out to be,”* the DW journalist concluded for Moldova 1TV. **** The leaders of the 27 European Union member states have gathered for a two-day summit focused on the bloc’s financial future. At the heart of the discussions is the EU budget for the 2028–2034 period, initially proposed at 1.76 trillion euros. The European Commission’s proposal to increase funding has drawn criticism from major net contributors—including Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands—who are calling for cuts and a reallocation of resources toward defense and competitiveness. Other member states are insisting on maintaining funding levels for agriculture and cohesion policy. Although the Irish rotating presidency of the Council of the EU has proposed a reduction of 159 billion euros, reaching a compromise remains difficult, as the adoption of the financial framework requires a unanimous vote from all 27 countries. In addition to the budgetary dispute, the agenda for the Brussels summit includes support for Ukraine, transatlantic relations, and the European Union’s enlargement policy. [Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/3butX4hNPUA)