NEWSLETTER Romanian President Nicușor Dan, Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed on June 11 at the Odessa Summit. June 2025 Kyiv-Chisinau-Bucharest trilateral co-operation – a n enormous and still untapped potential Topics of the edition: 1. Serghei Gerasimciuc, Ukrainian­Prism expert: “We are fortunate that Bucharest, Chișinau, and Kyiv have been on the same side of history so far.” 2. Editorial by Marin Gherman, university lecturer: “(Re)inventing the geopolitical triangle Ukraine-Romania­Republic of Moldova. How is the Russian war reshaping regional alliances?.» 3. Radu Hossu, humanitarian activist: “Russia is at war with Romania and the Republic of Moldova, but it is a hybrid war s h a p e d on the KGB methods of the 1960s– 70s.” 4. Victor Juc, director of ICJPS at the State University of Moldova: “Ukraine has a vital interest that a pro-European government continues to exist in the Republic of Moldova even after the autumn elections.” T rilateral co-operation between Ukraine-Republic of Moldova­Romania may take on a new dynamic now that Romania has a new president in the person of Nicushor Dan. The participation in the Odessa summit of the three presidents of these countries, who also had a trilateral meeting, was a sign that the three capitals can work more closely together to strengthen the resilience and economic development of these countries. While Ukraine is in an open war with Russia, Romania and the Republic of Moldova are facing a strong hybrid war from Moscow through propaganda, fake news, cyber-attacks and attempts to manipulate elections. Such closer cooperation would be important, first and foremost, for the Republic of Moldova as it prepares for crucial parliamentary elections. There are clear signs that Russia will also interfere with these parliamentary elections, as Moscow’s aim is, in a maximum scenario, to help openly pro-Russian forces come to power in Chisinau, and in a minimum, to obstruct the formation of a new genuine pro-European coalition to continue reforms. It is vital for the Republic of Moldova to have two strong allies among its near neighbours, and Kiev and Bucharest have quickly grasped the roles of shield around the Republic of Moldova to prevent Moscow from allowing Moldova to once again become a satellite orbiting its geopolitical interests. It remains to be seen what kind of joint projects the three countries will develop and how they will overcome the immediate challenges together. There is room for joint co-operation, as well as political will, and the future will show the potential of the trilateral relationship. Mădălin Necșuțu Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, împreună cu Asociația pentru Politică Externă, vă propune un Newsletter pe subiecte de politică externă și integrare europeană a Republicii Moldova.Newsletter-ul este parte a proiectului comun„Dialoguri de politică externă”. Monthly newsletter, No.6(232), June 2025 1