Moldova's President Maia Sandu leads Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (L), French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) down the stairs following a press conference as they celebrate the country's 34th independence day and as Moldova pushes for EU membership, in Chisinau. AFP
Speaking alongside the French, Polish, and Moldovan leaders in Chisinau, Merz said Moldova would be "wholeheartedly welcome in the European Union".
Berlin would "do all we can to open the first chapter of negotiations in the autumn", he added.
Speaking on the 34th anniversary of Moldova's independence from the Soviet Union, Merz accused Moscow of attempting to "bring Moldova back into the Russian sphere of influence".
"Ahead of the parliamentary election here, not a day goes by without massive Russian hybrid attacks," the chancellor said.
"Moldovan democracy is in the crosshairs, online and offline. Open, liberal democracy is in the crosshairs."
Merz added that "this is why Germany and Europe are supporting Moldova in the fight against disinformation and against cyber campaigns".
"We are very well aware how much Moldova is suffering from the Russian war of aggression" in neighbouring Ukraine, he said.
"This war must end," Merz stressed, but warned that this must not happen "at any price" that would encourage Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
"We do not want Ukraine's capitulation. Such a capitulation would only buy Russia more time, and Putin would use this time to prepare the next war."
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