Moldova wants to join the European Union "as soon as possible" to protect itself from the Russian threat. The country hopes for a decision "in the coming months" on the opening of talks.
"Russia will continue to be a major source of instability in the years to come and we must protect ourselves," says Moldova's president, Maia Sandu. "We believe we can only save our democracy by being part of the EU," Sandu says ahead of a pro-European rally in Chisinau.