The Foreign Minister of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, stated that the country’s accession to NATO remains unlikely due to a lack of public support, despite ongoing security concerns in the region.
In response to questions regarding Moldova’s potential alignment with NATO, particularly in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Popșoi emphasized that any movement toward membership would depend on the will of the citizens. He noted, “Accession to NATO, like any other international structure, hinges on the will of our citizens. If there were broad support, it could be considered a serious prospect and included in the agenda. In our case, as you know, for various reasons, such support has not been present.”
While Popșoi expressed his personal support for NATO, he urged civil society and the media to engage more frequently in discussions about the alliance to help remove the stigma surrounding the topic. He remarked, “I have always been open. For me, the North Atlantic Alliance represents security. After university, my first job was at the NATO center in Chișinău. I am a genuine supporter of everything related to Euro-Atlantic security. One does not need a doctorate to understand that real security guarantees can only be provided by NATO.”
According to a May survey conducted by iData, more than half of Moldovans oppose the idea of joining NATO. The poll indicated that 54.5% of respondents were against membership, while only 33.6% expressed support for joining the North Atlantic Alliance.
Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi has indicated that NATO membership is unlikely due to insufficient public backing. A recent survey reveals that a majority of Moldovans oppose joining the alliance, despite ongoing regional security challenges.