Moldova is preparing to align fully with European Union sanctions against Russia and Belarus, Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi has said. Popsoi made the announcement at an annual conference on EU enlargement held in Chisinau on 9 November, telling delegates that his country's foreign and security policy is currently about 91% aligned with that of the European Union. Moldova Live reported his remarks on 10 November.

Popsoi said the remaining gap concerns the sectoral sanctions package introduced in 2014, covering Russia and Belarus, with which Moldova has not yet aligned. "We are currently at around 91% alignment with the European Union's sanctions policy. We still have a slight gap when it comes to the sectoral sanctions package introduced back in 2014, with which we have not aligned, concerning Russia and Belarus. This is an outstanding commitment that needs to be addressed so that we can reach 100% alignment," he said.

"We are now working to identify the solutions and mechanisms needed to achieve this, demonstrating through concrete actions that we fully share European values and act accordingly," Popsoi added. He said decisions were expected to be taken soon, allowing Moldova to show its partners in Brussels and in EU member states that it is fulfilling its commitments, aligning with European values and contributing to regional security rather than merely benefiting from it.

What full alignment would mean

Alignment with EU sanctions means that a candidate country's national policies conform to the EU's restrictive measures, rather than simply supporting them in principle. EU Council records show Moldova already aligning itself with recent Council decisions on restrictive measures concerning Russia, including decisions adopted in September and October 2026. The Council's statements list Moldova among the countries aligning with those decisions and state that they will ensure their national policies conform to them.

Closing the remaining gap on the 2014 sectoral package would therefore take Moldova from broad alignment to full alignment across the EU's sanctions policy. Popsoi also noted that Moldova is participating in missions under the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, underlining that the alignment is part of a wider security partnership rather than a standalone gesture.

Moldova's EU accession drive

The announcement came at a conference attended by about 700 people at the Palace of the Republic in Chisinau, focused on the EU's 2026 enlargement package and the reforms Moldova must complete to join the bloc. Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov told the same conference that Moldova had made progress in every negotiation chapter over the past 12 months, with its level of preparedness improving in 25 of the 33 chapters, including foreign, security and defence policy. BytesEU reported that four clusters covering 25 chapters have been opened, with two clusters still to be opened.

Popsoi has previously said Moldova remains on track to achieve its EU membership objective by 2030, pointing to faster reforms and progress in aligning national legislation with EU law. EuropeSays reported on 7 November that he also argued Moldova's EU bid should not depend on first resolving the conflict in the Transnistrian region, on the Dniester's left bank, which remains outside the constitutional control of the authorities in Chisinau.

No date has been given for completing full sanctions alignment. Popsoi's statement, however, makes clear that the government now treats it as an outstanding commitment to be settled, with decisions expected soon.