Moldovan PM Tofan meets Zelenskyy on gas and EU progress

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan landed in Kyiv on Monday, October 26, to hold high-level talks with Ukrainian leaders. He brought three ministers with him, signaling the government’s focus on infrastructure, defense, and energy policy.

The delegation includes Vladimir Bolea, the minister of infrastructure and regional development. Anatolie Nosatîi, the defense minister, and Dorin Junghietu, the energy minister, also traveled to the capital. Their presence underscores the technical nature of the agenda, which covers everything from trade routes to military coordination.

Tofan is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the parliament. A joint statement from the Moldovan government noted that the prime ministers will discuss strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic and trade cooperation, and regional security. Both leaders are also expected to address their respective paths toward European Union membership.

The visit follows a series of preliminary discussions on energy security. On October 14, Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Tofan to review shared challenges in the energy sector and preparations for the winter season. Two days earlier, on October 12, Tofan publicly stated that Moldova is considering purchasing natural gas from Ukraine to meet domestic needs. He identified this issue as a primary topic for the current trip.

Tofan and Koretskyi will also attend the Kyiv International Economic Forum together. The event focuses on investment opportunities and the development of economic ties. The Moldovan president, Maia Sandu, recently stated that Moldova is ready to accept new refugees from Ukraine if the humanitarian situation worsens, adding another layer to the diplomatic engagement.