Moldova sends three ministers to Kyiv for gas and EU talks

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan arrived in Kyiv on Monday, October 26, accompanied by three senior cabinet officials. The delegation includes Vladimir Bolea, the minister of infrastructure and regional development; Anatolie Nosati, the defense minister; and Dorin Junghietu, the energy minister. The government confirmed the arrival through a statement released via the Moldovan media outlet Newsmaker.

The primary objective of the trip is to secure natural gas supplies for Moldova before winter. Tofan indicated on October 12 that he was considering purchasing gas from Ukraine and planned to negotiate those terms during this visit. Energy security forms a central pillar of the agenda, following a preliminary meeting on October 14 between Tofan and Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal.

The itinerary includes high-level meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. According to the Moldovan government, the leaders will focus on bilateral relations, trade cooperation, and each nation's path toward the European Union. The two prime ministers will also jointly attend the Kyiv International Economic Forum to discuss investment opportunities.

Moldova is also preparing for potential demographic shifts. President Maia Sandu stated that the country is ready to accept a new influx of Ukrainian refugees if the humanitarian situation worsens. This diplomatic push comes as both nations seek to solidify their economic and security ties ahead of the colder months.