President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, participated yesterday in Paris in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, TRIBUNA reports.

The Coalition of the Willing is a group of 37 countries, most of them European, that have joined forces to support Ukraine in achieving a ceasefire and, subsequently, a just peace while preventing renewed aggression. This diplomatic platform is co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and meets in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This marks the Republic of Moldova’s first participation in a Coalition meeting.

In her remarks, President Maia Sandu emphasized that Moldova’s presence in the Coalition is a natural step and a continuation of the support it has provided to Ukraine since the first days of the war: “We share a 1,222-kilometer border with Ukraine. Some of Ukraine’s borders are front lines. Others are used to launch attacks. Ours is a friendly border—a strategic advantage for Ukraine and for this Coalition.”

Addressing the immediate priorities, the President called for stronger support for Ukraine: “Ukraine needs more support, first and foremost in air defense. It also needs greater economic pressure on Russia to deprive it of the means to wage war. Both will bring peace closer.”

On the sidelines of the meeting, President Maia Sandu held bilateral talks with several leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker.

The Republic of Moldova’s participation in the Coalition of the Willing is fully compatible with the country’s constitutional neutrality. The Coalition also includes other neutral states, such as Austria and Ireland.