Redefining national interests and accelerating Moldova's European integration since 2022

This article analyzes the Republic of Moldova’s evolving priorities in its relations with the European Union, particularly in the context of the shift from a multivector foreign policy to a clear focus on European integration following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The study first establishes a conceptual understanding of national interest, categorizing it into defence, economic, world order, and ideological interests. It then outlines Moldova’s complex geopolitical situation, characterized by oscillation between European aspirations and persistent Russian influence, which led to initial policy stagnation. The war in Ukraine has fundamentally redefined the EU’s enlargement as a geopolitical tool for democratic security, leading to an accelerated process that prioritizes stability and alignment over strict, traditional procedural compliance. The core of the analysis focuses on two primary national priorities for Moldova: European Integration and Security and Defence. European Integration, now an absolute national priority, is traced from early agreements to Moldova’s candidate status, the formal start of accession negotiations in 2024, and the recent constitutional enshrinement of the pro-European path. The analysis positions Moldova as a contemporary example of how Multi-Level Governance is being utilized to quickly strengthen democratic security in the face of external threat, leveraging the new, geopolitical approach to enlargement. The second priority, Security and Defence, addresses the re-evaluation of Moldova’s permanent neutrality principle, culminating in the 2023 National Security Strategy, which identifies Russia as the main threat and emphasizes democratic values and institutional strength over ‘inaction’ neutrality. The article emphasises the importance of the September 2025 parliamentary elections as a determinant of Moldova’s continued trajectory toward EU membership, and thus, the endurance of the political legitimacy underwriting the rapid geopolitical enlargement track.