{"id":1344734,"date":"2026-01-15T11:59:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T09:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/the-unification-of-romania-with-moldova-is-it-beneficial-for-ukraine\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T07:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T05:13:16","slug":"the-unification-of-romania-with-moldova-is-it-beneficial-for-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/the-unification-of-romania-with-moldova-is-it-beneficial-for-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Romania and Moldova Unite: A Threat or a Boon for Ukraine?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Source: Author&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/zoyakazanzhy\/posts\/pfbid0eoYi2MkCVEKwnFR7YAKUcBQneiEjmz89GB5PWcnK7bi15rLqRSfXoyfMX62byymvl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Facebook<\/a> page<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Romania and Moldova could merge into a single country, and Romanian officials are already preparing for negotiations. Evgeni Tomac, advisor to the Romanian president on relations with Romanians in the diaspora, stated openly that Romania is ready to sit at the negotiating table at any time\u2014provided that Chi\u0219in\u0103u itself expresses the political will to unify.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"133\" data-end=\"196\">Let\u2019s break it down\u2014the topic is too important to ignore.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"198\" data-end=\"426\">Moldova is geographically close to <strong data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"265\">Odessa and the Odessa region<\/strong>, which is why I closely monitor all related news, read analyses, and follow local forums. I\u2019ll share what I\u2019ve found. All information comes from open sources.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"428\" data-end=\"456\">So, what do we know today?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"458\" data-end=\"694\"><strong data-start=\"458\" data-end=\"481\">Leaders\u2019 positions:<\/strong> Maia Sandu has already stated that she would vote \u201cyes\u201d in a referendum on unification. Evgeni Tomac emphasizes: <em data-start=\"595\" data-end=\"692\">\u201cWe are one people on both sides of the Prut, and partners in the EU and NATO understand this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"800\"><strong data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"726\">Public opinion in Moldova:<\/strong> 38% support unification with Romania, 50% oppose it, and 10% are undecided.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"802\" data-end=\"892\"><strong data-start=\"802\" data-end=\"832\">Poll results in Romania:<\/strong> 47% support unification, 46% oppose it, and 7% are undecided.<\/p>\n\t\t<aside class=\"shortcode-also\" data-title=\"Read also\" >\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/sandu-said-she-would-support-unification-with-romania\/\">Sandu said she would support unification with Romania<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\n<p data-start=\"175\" data-end=\"219\"><strong data-start=\"175\" data-end=\"217\">Examples of similar unions in history:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"221\" data-end=\"935\">\n<li data-start=\"221\" data-end=\"390\">\n<p data-start=\"224\" data-end=\"390\"><strong data-start=\"224\" data-end=\"250\">The German case, 1990:<\/strong> Successful, but costly for the West. West Germany invested over <strong data-start=\"315\" data-end=\"335\">2 trillion euros<\/strong> in modernizing the East over the following 30 years.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"392\" data-end=\"657\">\n<p data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"657\"><strong data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"425\">The Vietnamese case, 1976:<\/strong> After a long and bloody war involving the United States, North Vietnam won and forcibly unified the country under the communist flag. While the country became unified, the transition to a market economy began only a decade later.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"659\" data-end=\"935\">\n<p data-start=\"662\" data-end=\"935\"><strong data-start=\"662\" data-end=\"688\">The Yemeni case, 1990:<\/strong> Yemen was divided into North and South, forming a union of two sovereign states with equal rights. Unfortunately, due to religious and political differences, the union proved unstable, ultimately leading to civil wars that continue to this day.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"1156\">In Moldova, a so-called <strong data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"981\">\u201cquiet takeover\u201d<\/strong> is currently underway. Instead of a single, high-profile referendum that could divide society, authorities and unionist groups are implementing a <strong data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1153\">step-by-step approach<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1575\">\n<li data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1252\">\n<p data-start=\"1161\" data-end=\"1252\"><strong data-start=\"1161\" data-end=\"1192\">Customs and border control:<\/strong> Joint customs operations and simplified border crossings.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1253\" data-end=\"1415\">\n<p data-start=\"1256\" data-end=\"1415\"><strong data-start=\"1256\" data-end=\"1275\">Infrastructure:<\/strong> Construction of bridges across the Prut River, a single European-standard railway, shared energy networks, and abolition of roaming fees.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1416\" data-end=\"1575\">\n<p data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1575\"><strong data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1453\">Education, culture, and media:<\/strong> Joint TV channels, educational grants, full synchronization of curricula, and the creation of a unified cultural space.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1903\">In Moldova, the topic of unification is promoted by <strong data-start=\"1629\" data-end=\"1642\">\u201cUnirea,\u201d<\/strong> a political bloc comprising several Romanian-unionist organizations. Their primary goal is the full unification of the Republic of Moldova with Romania. They argue that Moldova\u2019s only path to joining the EU and NATO is through a complete merger with Romania.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"2176\">Despite its vocal rhetoric, <strong data-start=\"1933\" data-end=\"1989\">Unirea has never achieved decisive electoral support<\/strong>. Pro-European voters tend to favour more moderate parties, such as Maia Sandu\u2019s <strong data-start=\"2069\" data-end=\"2076\">PAS<\/strong>, which advocate European integration without necessarily dissolving Moldova as a sovereign state.<\/p>\n\n<p data-start=\"136\" data-end=\"174\"><strong data-start=\"136\" data-end=\"172\">Key political trends in Moldova:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"176\" data-end=\"715\">\n<li data-start=\"176\" data-end=\"358\">\n<p data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"358\"><strong data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"204\">Realism vs. idealism:<\/strong> Maia Sandu emphasizes that joining the EU as an independent state is a <em data-start=\"276\" data-end=\"300\">\u201cmore realistic goal,\u201d<\/em> as it enjoys the support of over 60% of the population.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"360\" data-end=\"579\">\n<p data-start=\"363\" data-end=\"579\"><strong data-start=\"363\" data-end=\"383\">Security factor:<\/strong> Support for unification with Romania rises precisely as the Russian threat intensifies. For many Moldovans, <strong data-start=\"492\" data-end=\"502\">Unirea<\/strong> is less about cultural ties and more about security under NATO protection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"581\" data-end=\"715\">\n<p data-start=\"584\" data-end=\"715\"><strong data-start=\"584\" data-end=\"604\">Passport factor:<\/strong> Over 1.5 million Moldovans hold Romanian passports, creating a de facto association at the individual level.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"717\" data-end=\"742\"><strong data-start=\"717\" data-end=\"740\">What about Romania?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"979\">Overall support for unification stands at 47%, slightly down from previous years due to concerns over living standards and budget deficits. Romanians understand that integrating a poorer Moldova would largely fall on their shoulders.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"1225\">Romania\u2019s GDP is nearly <strong data-start=\"1005\" data-end=\"1039\">21 times higher than Moldova\u2019s<\/strong>. GDP per person is $22,400 in Romania compared to $8,200 in Moldova. Average salaries are \u20ac1,750 and \u20ac850, respectively, while the minimum wage is \u20ac850 in Romania and \u20ac320 in Moldova.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1227\" data-end=\"1268\"><strong data-start=\"1227\" data-end=\"1266\">Main obstacles to real unification:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1787\">\n<li data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1454\">\n<p data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1454\"><strong data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1290\">Transnistria:<\/strong> No NATO procedure allows a country with foreign troops and an active territorial conflict to join. A union excluding Transnistria still lacks widespread support.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1456\" data-end=\"1606\">\n<p data-start=\"1459\" data-end=\"1606\"><strong data-start=\"1459\" data-end=\"1472\">Gagauzia:<\/strong> This pro-Russian autonomous region has the legal right to pursue <em data-start=\"1538\" data-end=\"1569\">\u201cexternal self-determination\u201d <\/em> if Moldova\u2019s sovereignty is compromised<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1787\">\n<p data-start=\"1611\" data-end=\"1787\"><strong data-start=\"1611\" data-end=\"1640\">Constitutional procedure:<\/strong> A referendum is required in both countries. In Moldova, such a vote would likely fail at present, and in Romania, the result would be uncertain.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t<aside class=\"shortcode-also\" data-title=\"Read also\" >\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/putins-loss-the-scenario-of-a-soft-annexation-of-moldova-failed\/\">Putin\u2019s \u201cSoft Takeover\u201d of Moldova? Not Quite Going According to Plan<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\n<p data-start=\"133\" data-end=\"334\">Today, <strong data-start=\"140\" data-end=\"198\">de facto unification is proceeding faster than de jure<\/strong>, creating conditions where, within a few years, the state border could become little more than a formality within the European Union.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"336\" data-end=\"622\">Most recently, in January 2026, <strong data-start=\"368\" data-end=\"382\">Maia Sandu<\/strong> bluntly stated that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Moldova to <em data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"479\">\u201csurvive on its own.\u201d<\/em> Despite the construction of power lines connecting Moldova to Romania, the country remains vulnerable to Russian leverage over Transnistria.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"624\" data-end=\"866\">Moldova is also losing its working-age population, which is leaving en masse for the EU using Romanian passports. Meanwhile, the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria renders Moldova a <strong data-start=\"814\" data-end=\"829\">\u201cgray zone,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0deterring large-scale investment.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"868\" data-end=\"1009\">Romania is ready to provide support but is waiting for Moldovan public opinion to reach a level of <strong data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"1006\">50% or more in favour of unification<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1229\">From a regional perspective, such a union could be advantageous for Ukraine. Having <strong data-start=\"1095\" data-end=\"1151\">Transnistria and the Gagauz autonomy on one\u2019s border<\/strong> is akin to sitting on a time bomb, waiting for it to explode at any moment.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1358\"><em data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1356\">Pictured: Romanian President Nicos Dan during a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Chi\u0219in\u0103u, June 2025. Reuters.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Also, follow <strong>\u201cPryamyi\u201d<\/strong> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pryamiy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/prm_ua\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/+rtV4dxYu2_cyNjVi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Telegram<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pryamiy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>\u2022 Materials published in the \u201cOPINIONS\u201d section reflect the opinion of the author of the publication, who bears full responsibility for the accuracy of the information.<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>\u2022 The editorial staff of prm.ua may not share the opinions expressed in the author&#8217;s material.<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>\u2022 The owner of the webpage in the \u201cOPINIONS\u201d section is the author of the publication.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Source: Author&#8217;s Facebook page Romania and Moldova could merge into a single country, and Romanian officials are already preparing for negotiations. Evgeni Tomac, advisor to the Romanian president on relations with Romanians in the diaspora, stated openly that Romania is ready to sit at the negotiating table at any time\u2014provided that Chi\u0219in\u0103u itself expresses the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":1344705,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76871,76872,76893],"class_list":["post-1344734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-2","category-news-feed","category-thoughts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1344734"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1345189,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344734\/revisions\/1345189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1344705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1344734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1344734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}