Scholz in Bucharest to stress support for Romania, Moldova

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Romania on Monday (3 April) to underscore Western support for a key NATO ally that borders Ukraine and also for neighbouring Moldova, which has looked especially vulnerable since Russia’s invasion last year.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who has accused Moscow of fomenting unrest in her tiny former Soviet republic, was due to join Scholz and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest later in the day.

Russia denies causing trouble in Moldova, which is sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, and aspires to join the European Union.

Scholz’s visit to Bucharest comes a day after German armsmaker Rheinmetall announced it was setting up a maintenance and logistics hub in northern Romania to service weapons used in Ukraine.

Scholz praised Romania’s willingness to take in refugees spilling over the border from the war in Ukraine, adding: “Germany stands firmly by Romania’s side.”