Moldova has become a concern for US officials due to the alleged Russian influence operations in the country. This prompted US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to embark on a short European tour beginning on Wednesday, with his first stop in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. During his visit, Blinken will meet with President Maya Sandu and other high-ranking officials.
The focus of Blinken’s trip is to deepen cooperation on shared challenges and enhance transatlantic relations. The United States remains committed to supporting Moldova and its neighbors in the region in the face of external threats. One of the key issues that will be discussed during Blinken’s tour is the country’s energy independence, with Jim O’Brien, the top US diplomat for Europe at the State Department indicating that a package to support Moldova’s energy independence is likely to be announced.
Following his visit to Moldova, Blinken will travel to Prague later in the week to attend an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers. The focus of this meeting will be on advancing preparations for the alliance’s summit in Washington in July. The discussions held during Blinken’s tour are expected to strengthen ties between the United States and its European allies in NATO, highlighting ongoing strategic partnerships between the two nations.