Moldovan PM Tofan arrives in Kyiv with three cabinet ministers

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan landed in Kyiv on Monday, October 26, leading a high-level delegation focused on energy security and trade. He is accompanied by three senior cabinet members: Vladimir Bolea, the minister of infrastructure and regional development; Anatolie Nosatîi, the defense minister; and Dorin Junghietu, the energy minister. The group arrived to kick off a working visit centered on bilateral relations and regional stability.

Tofan’s schedule is packed with high-level meetings. He is set to sit down with Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. These conversations will form the core of the diplomatic engagement. The Moldovan government outlined that the talks will address methods to deepen economic ties and improve trade flows between the two neighbors.

Energy policy sits at the center of the agenda. Tofan explicitly identified natural gas purchases as a priority for the visit. On October 12, he stated that Moldova is considering buying gas from Ukraine to meet domestic demand. He planned to raise the issue during this trip. The energy sector has been a point of active contact recently. On October 14, Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Tofan to discuss winter preparations and shared sector challenges.

The two prime ministers will also join the Kyiv International Economic Forum. The event focuses on investment opportunities and the development of cross-border economic cooperation. This forum provides a public platform for the bilateral discussions already planned for their private meetings. The agenda includes specific reviews of how both nations can strengthen their economic partnerships in the current regional context.

Regional security and the path toward the European Union are also on the table. The Moldovan government noted that both countries face similar pressures in their EU accession processes. The delegation will use this visit to synchronize their strategies. They aim to present a unified front regarding their future integration into European structures. This alignment is a key component of the broader diplomatic push.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu addressed the humanitarian context surrounding the visit. She confirmed that Moldova is prepared to accept another wave of refugees from Ukraine. Her statement followed reports of a severe humanitarian situation in parts of the country. Sandu indicated that the government is ready to accommodate people if they begin to leave due to these conditions. This readiness adds a social dimension to the economic and security talks in Kyiv.