Moldovan PM arrives in Kyiv with three ministers for gas and EU talks
Vasile Tofan joins Ukraine's leadership to finalize energy agreements and advance bilateral EU integration plans.
By Isaac Medina ·
Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan landed in Kyiv on Monday, 26 October, accompanied by a cabinet of three key ministers. The delegation includes Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development; Anatolie Nosatîi, Minister of Defence; and Dorin Junghietu, Minister of Energy. Their immediate objective is to secure concrete agreements on energy supply and economic cooperation before the winter season begins.
The visit centers on finalizing a natural gas purchase deal. On 12 October, Tofan stated that Moldova was actively considering buying Ukrainian gas to meet domestic needs. This discussion follows a 14 October meeting between Tofan and Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, who reviewed shared sector challenges and winter preparations. The presence of Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu signals that technical terms and contract details are the primary focus of the current session.
Tofan and his counterparts will meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Parliamentary Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk. According to the Moldovan government, the leaders will address bilateral trade growth, regional security, and both nations' trajectories toward European Union membership. The agenda moves beyond symbolic gestures to operational planning for economic integration.
The trip also includes participation in the Kyiv International Economic Forum, where Tofan and Koretskyi will discuss investment opportunities. This forum provides a platform to showcase joint economic projects to international partners. The timing coincides with President Maia Sandu's recent announcement that Moldova is prepared to accept a new wave of Ukrainian refugees if the humanitarian situation deteriorates further.
The delegation's arrival marks the first high-level visit since Tofan began his tenure. By bringing both defense and infrastructure ministers, Chisinau signals that security and logistics are inextricable from the economic partnership. The meetings aim to produce written commitments on gas volumes and EU accession milestones by the end of the week.
