TOP HEADLINES

•President Maia Sandu said on Friday she saw no danger of war in Moldova while Ukraine holds firm but has accused Russia of trying to destabilize her country. Russia has denied the accusations.

•The heads of NATO and the European Commission flew on Friday to a North Sea platform to discuss the security of energy supplies and infrastructure.

• Moldova faces numerous problems - including an energy crisis, rising poverty and social tensions - that have been aggravated by Russia's conflict with Ukraine.

• Ukrainian forces were continuing on Friday to withstand Russian assaults on the ruined city of Bakhmut.

• British intelligence said on Friday some Russian combatants had crossed the river that bisects the town but that Ukrainian armed forces were still defending the western part.

• Russian forces also conducted four air strikes on the frontline town of Avdiivka south of Bakhmut on Friday, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram.

• Russia denies targeting civilians but says it has targeted infrastructure to degrade Ukraine's military and remove what it says is a potential threat to its own security.

• The Slovak government approved sending MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said on Friday.

• Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has presented awards to the pilots of two Su-27 fighter planes that intercepted a U.S. drone near the airspace around Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.

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IN DEPTH

Sandu accuses Russia of destabilization

President Maia Sandu said on Friday she saw no danger of war in Moldova while Russia is fighting in Ukraine, despite what she said were Russian efforts to destabilize her country.

Issuing a rallying cry during a speech to parliament, Sandu hailed Ukraine for holding out against Russia and urged Moldovans to unite behind the former Soviet republic's bid to join the European Union.

"There is no danger of war coming to Moldova while Ukraine is fighting," Sandu told parliament.

"I want to reassure our citizens that Moldova is not now in any danger of war. The Russian army cannot get here while Ukraine holds out - and (thus) protects Moldova. We are grateful to Ukrainians for their bravery and love of freedom."

Moldova, a small country of 2.6 million people wedged between Ukraine and Romania, faces numerous problems- including an energy crisis, rising poverty and social tensions - that have been aggravated by Russia's conflict with Ukraine.

Sandu said Russia, which has troops based in Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region, would continue trying to destabilizse her country "from within" and praised law enforcement agencies for blocking attempts to sow chaos.

In recent weeks, Moldovan authorities have arrested several alleged pro-Russian activists who they said were trying to enter the country. There have also been several protests organized by a pro-Russian party in the capital, Chisinau.

"As long as I am president, Moldova will hold out," said Sandu, who became president in 2020.

"In 2030 Moldova should become a member of the European Union," she said. "I urge all political forces to put EU accession above all interests and to support this movement unconditionally."

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