At the general debates of the 80th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Ambassador Gheorghe Leuca, Moldova’s Permanent Representative to the UN, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to democratic values and European integration.
Leuca stressed that Moldovan citizens defended democracy through free and fair elections, despite external pressure and interference. “Our citizens refused to be intimidated or fooled. It is a victory for the entire nation, a victory for democracy, for Europe, and for freedom,” he declared.
The ambassador accused Russia of attempting to influence the electoral process through illegal financing, disinformation, cyberattacks, and voter intimidation. He also condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, calling each rocket strike against civilians a serious violation of international law. Moldova, he underlined, supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and demands Russia’s complete and unconditional withdrawal of troops and ammunition from Moldova, including the Transnistrian region.
Leuca urged greater international solidarity against hybrid threats, warning that democracies worldwide face manipulation and election interference through increasingly sophisticated tools. “Moldova calls for stronger cooperation to protect democracies,” he said.
He emphasized that Moldova’s path toward EU membership will remain difficult due to persistent Russian threats, but assured that the country is determined to continue.
Concluding his speech, the ambassador pledged that Moldova will remain an active and responsible UN partner, committed to peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.