Moldovan President Maia Sandu has stated that Chisinau is ready to receive a new influx of Ukrainian refugees if the situation in Ukraine deteriorates significantly during the winter. She made the remarks at the Moldova Security Forum 2026, held in Chisinau on October 8–9.

 

According to Sandu, Moldova remains prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian citizens and accommodate people forced to leave their homes because of the ongoing war. The president stressed that the country already has experience responding to large-scale population displacement following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“We are ready to accept as many Ukrainians as necessary”, Sandu said, referring to the possibility of the situation in Ukraine worsening during the winter months.

Her statement comes amid continued Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the risk of a new humanitarian crisis during the cold season. Damage to energy facilities and disruptions to electricity and heating supplies could increase the number of Ukrainians seeking temporary refuge outside the country.

Despite its limited economic and infrastructure capacity, Moldova remains one of Ukraine’s closest neighbours among EU candidate countries and has hosted a significant number of Ukrainian citizens since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Sandu also linked Moldova’s humanitarian resilience to national and regional security. According to the president, developments in the region require Chisinau to strengthen state institutions, enhance its ability to counter hybrid threats, and deepen integration with European structures.

The Moldova Security Forum 2026 is being held in Chisinau with the participation of government representatives, experts, and security specialists from various countries. Discussions focus on Russia’s war against Ukraine, hybrid threats, critical infrastructure protection, European security, and Moldova’s prospects for further integration into the European Union.

 

Sandu’s statement indicates that Chisinau views a potential deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine this winter not only as a social challenge but also as a regional security concern. In the event of another large-scale displacement of people, Moldova will need additional support from its European partners to accommodate refugees, meet their basic needs, and protect its own infrastructure.

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09.10.2026 05:31