Romania declared its readiness to unite with Moldova: one condition changes everything
14.01.2026When the idea of a “greater Romania” resurfaces, the answer should not be given by Bucharest, but by voters on both sides of the Prut.
In Bucharest, there is no longer any whispering about unification with Moldova. The Romanian President's advisor, Eugene Tomac, has publicly stated that the country is ready "at any moment to sit down at the negotiating table and seriously discuss the scenario of unification into a single state."3 10 But the key phrase that removes the pathos and adds political weight is heard immediately after it: this is possible only under one condition - if the Republic of Moldova itself officially considers such an option and citizens support it in a referendum.3 6 10 .
What exactly was said in Bucharest: Tomac's formula
Eugene Tomac, advisor to Romanian President Nicolae Ciuc and a member of the European Parliament, stated in an interview with the European portal CaleaEuropeană that Bucharest "is ready at any moment to sit down at the negotiating table and seriously discuss this scenario (unification - ed.) only if the Republic of Moldova considers it a real option."3 10 According to him, Romania “cannot ignore the context in Chisinau”, where the legally elected majority is pro-European and declares a course for EU integration.3 .
Tomac emphasized that, in his opinion, "any Romanian of good will, regardless of which side of the Prut he lives on, considers the topic of unification of the two states to be a natural process."3 At the same time, he called for the discussion on possible reunification to be conducted "extremely responsibly and seriously", taking into account the position of partners in the EU, NATO and the US.3 .
"One condition": Moldova's will, not Bucharest's dream
The main limitation, repeated by both Tomac and other Romanian officials: without a clearly expressed will of Moldovan citizens, the unification will not be a subject of real policy, only an object of historical discussions.3 10 The presidential advisor stressed that Romania respects Chisinau's right to independently decide its future — from EU membership to a potential union — and is ready to support any democratically approved scenario.3 6 .
The formula is simple, but politically tough: first, an internal decision by Moldova (mostly through a referendum), then negotiations with Bucharest and consultations with partners in the EU, NATO, and the US.3 10 In this way, Bucharest removes suspicions of "absorbing" a neighboring state and shifts the center of gravity to the political process in Chisinau.
Sandu's position: "I will vote for it" — but the country is not ready yet
The reason for Tomac's statement was an interview with Moldovan President Maia Sandu on the British podcast The Rest Is Politics. She bluntly said that in the event of a referendum on unification with Romania, she would vote "yes", explaining that such a decision would help protect the country's democracy from growing pressure from Russia.6 8 11 Sandu stressed: "It is increasingly difficult for a small country like Moldova to survive as a democratic, sovereign state and to confront Russia."6 11 .
At the same time, she admitted that the idea of unification does not yet have the support of the majority of citizens. According to the latest polls cited by UNN, European Newsroom and LIGA.net, about a third of the population supports unification with Romania, while the rest are either against it or undecided.3 6 9 Instead, Sandu calls EU accession a "more realistic and consolidating goal" that the government plans to achieve by 2030.6 8 11 .
Reaction of the Romanian administration: “all our partners know that this is one people”
In Bucharest, Sandu's words were perceived as a signal that the topic of unification could no longer be shelved. Presidential advisor Dan Nicășor (through whom Tomac voiced his position) recalled in a conversation with CaleaEuropeană that on March 27, 2018, the Romanian Parliament adopted a declaration of readiness for reunification with Moldova without a single "no" vote.10 13 "This is a political fact that no one has canceled," he emphasized.
When asked whether EU, NATO and US partners were ready for such a scenario, Tomac replied: "All our partners know that the same people live in Romania and the Republic of Moldova," but called for the discussion to be conducted "extremely responsibly."3 This is a signal both outwardly and inwardly: Bucharest makes it clear that it will not act without coordination with its allies, and at the same time reminds us that the issue has a historical dimension that is well understood in Europe.
What the international media say about “unification as a natural process”
Romanian and Moldovan events are being actively followed by leading international publications. News.ro, NV and others, citing Romanian politicians, describe the unification as a "natural process" for two countries that share a common language, history and culture and are already linked by hundreds of thousands of individual passports and families.1 3 About 1,5 million Moldovan citizens have already received Romanian citizenship, which effectively opens the door to the EU for them.3 6 .
European analytical platforms such as European Newsroom and EUAlive remind us that after applying for EU membership in 2022, Moldova is rapidly moving forward with its integration process, from synchronizing its energy system with the EU to joining the “roam like at home” zone and SEPA for payments.8 14 In this logic, unification with Romania would appear to be a "fast track" to the EU and NATO, but would raise complex legal, security, and domestic political issues.
Main risks and challenges for Moldova
Despite Sandu's personal support, unification with Romania does not seem like an easy path at the moment. First, there is an internal split: a significant part of the population, especially in the Gagauzia autonomy and regions with a strong pro-Russian influence, is skeptical of the "unionist" scenario6 9 ... Historical traumas, propaganda, and fear of losing identity or social guarantees are at play here.
Secondly, the issue of Transnistria, a region effectively occupied by Russia and legally part of Moldova but not controlled by Chisinau, remains unresolved. Any unification with Romania automatically raises the question of whether Transnistria will be included in the new entity, and if so, under what status.6 8 This is a serious challenge for both the EU and NATO, which will not want to import the frozen conflict in its pure form.
Romanian arguments: security, history, the European project
Bucharest's argument rests on three pillars. The first is historical: Moldova and Romania, before the Soviet annexation, were parts of one state, divided by the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact; the "return" is seen by some elites as a correction of a historical injustice.1 3 The second is security: unification would immediately "pull" the Moldovan space under NATO guarantees.
The third pillar is European. In Romanian discourse, the associations are often described as a more reliable and faster way to integrate Moldovan society into European institutions than the long and politically sensitive process of negotiating EU accession.3 8 At the same time, the same politicians admit: without the support of allies in either Brussels or Washington, such a project has no chance, because it risks being perceived as "redrawing borders" in a region that is already burning due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
What do the EU and the US think?
Official reactions from the EU and the US have been restrained so far. European sources cited by Reuters and European Newsroom emphasize that Brussels supports Moldova's European course and is working on its rapprochement with the EU within its current borders.8 14 15 Any talks about changing the status should take place within the framework of international law and with the participation of allies, but the initiative must come from Moldova itself.
For Washington, stability in the region between Romania and Ukraine and deterrence of Russia remain key priorities. In this sense, the US is unlikely to object to a scenario that strengthens Chisinau's pro-European and pro-Western course, but does not create precedents for a forceful revision of the borders.8 15 That is why Washington is closely monitoring how Bucharest and Chisinau formulate their positions: the emphasis on the role of the referendum and the consent of the allies is not accidental.
Ukrainian perspective: what does a potential union mean?
For Ukraine, the topic of unification of Romania and Moldova is a sensitive and multidimensional one. On the one hand, strengthening the Euro-Atlantic space on our western and southwestern flank theoretically strengthens the security of the region: instead of a small vulnerable state between Ukraine and Romania, we would get a continuous space of NATO and the EU6 8 11 This would significantly complicate Russian scenarios of destabilization and blockade of Ukraine through Moldova and Transnistria.
On the other hand, any border change in the region — even voluntary and based on a referendum — will inevitably become a target for Russian propaganda, which is already trying to equate German unification or possible alliances within the EU with its own occupation of foreign territories.11 15 It is important for Kyiv that any steps taken by Bucharest and Chisinau are as transparent, coordinated as possible, and do not create chaos that Moscow could take advantage of.
What's next: between referendum and European integration
For now, the unification of Moldova and Romania remains more of a political possibility than a concrete plan. Its implementation requires at least several conditions: a stable pro-European majority in Chisinau, the willingness of Moldovan citizens to support the union in a referendum, a coordinated position between Bucharest, Zelensky and Western partners, and clarity on the status of Transnistria.3 8 10 .
In parallel, Moldova continues to move towards the EU according to the classic procedure: negotiation clusters are open, technical chapters are gradually being closed, and in 2026 the country will already be integrated into the European energy space, mobile roaming, and payment systems.8 14 In this context, Bucharest's statement of readiness for unification is more of a political message: Romania has not forgotten about "natural unity", but will not impose it by force, leaving the final say to the citizens of Moldova.
Sources
- NV: ""Natural process". Romania has declared its readiness to start negotiations on unification with Moldova" — the statement of Bucharest's position, words of Eugene Tomak.
- News.online.ua: "Romania is ready for unification talks with Moldova" — an English-language review of statements by the advisor to the President of Romania.
- UNN: "Bucharest is ready for unification with Moldova if Chisinau wishes so" - direct quotes from Tomac, a condition on the will of Chisinau and its partners in the EU, NATO, and the USA.
- Mezha / Bukvy: "Romania Open to Negotiations on Potential Moldova Unification" — a brief summary: Romania is ready for negotiations if Moldova chooses this option itself.
- European Truth / Pravda.com.ua: "Romania is ready to discuss unification with Moldova..." - emphasis on Bucharest's reaction to Sandu's words and mention of the 2018 parliamentary declaration.
- UNN: "Maia Sandu stated that she would support Moldova's unification with Romania..." — Sandu's position on the referendum and arguments about the threat from the Russian Federation.
- LIGA.net / European Newsroom: interpretation of Sandu's statements, sociological data on support for the union (about a third of citizens).
- EUAlive / European Newsroom: the context of Moldova's European integration — opening of negotiation clusters, integration into the EU energy system, SEPA and "roam like at home".
- UNN / RBC-Ukraine: "Sandu pledges support for Moldova-Romania unification..." — additional quotes from the Moldovan president and details about Russian interference in the elections.
- OBOZREVATEL: "In Romania, after Sandu's statement, they declared that they were ready to speak..." — emphasis on the condition of "the wishes of the citizens of Moldova" and a mention of the declaration of the Romanian Parliament of March 27, 2018.
- Reuters / TVP World: materials about the interview with Sandu, her thesis about unification as a path to automatic membership in the EU and NATO.
- European Newsroom: "The Moldovan president says she is in favor of reunification..." — analysis of the domestic and foreign reaction to Sandu's statements.
- EUAlive: "Moldovan President makes headlines with comment on reunification..." — additional context on the progress of Moldova's EU membership negotiations.
- UNN / analytics: assessment of the impact of a potential union on regional security and Ukrainian interests.
