Leaders from France, Germany, and Poland have travelled to Moldova to show support for the country's accession to the EU and warn of Russia's relentless efforts to undermine that ambition.
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.
Ukraine is close by, just across the border.
Last year, Sandu called a referendum on enshrining the goal of EU membership in the constitution. The yes vote narrowly won.
Shortly after that vote, the president, who went to Harvard and used to work for the World Bank, won a second term after a tense second round.
There were allegations of Russian interference with evidence of everything from widespread disinformation campaigns to paying cash for votes.
Today, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that this is because Moscow is trying relentlessly to undermine freedom and prosperity in Moldova, as Vladimir Putin attempts to return it to Russia's fold.
In response, Sandu is focused on forging strong relations with Europe.
In Chisinau, she laid out the red carpet for her guests, greeting each of the leaders in turn before leading them up steps lined by soldiers standing to attention.
Inside, President Macron described EU membership as the clear and sovereign choice of Moldova and conveyed a message of solidarity from France.
Prime Minister Tusk recalled how Poland's journey toward EU accession was filled with challenges, but ultimately worthwhile. You have chosen the right path, he said. You chose peace not war, and we support your aspirations.
Moldova has firmly supported Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. Merz concluded that Europe and the US are putting everything into trying to resolve the conflict.
President Sandu's party, PAS, hopes that the elections next month will grant them a new mandate to press on with reforms toward EU integration.
Polls, however, suggest that PAS will lose seats and likely its majority, prompting Sandu to call upon European allies for support.
