Tofan lands in Kyiv with three ministers to settle gas and trade terms

Moldova and Ukraine maintain close diplomatic ties, but the current visit marks a concentrated push to formalize their economic and security coordination.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan arrived in Kyiv on Monday, October 26, accompanied by three cabinet members. Vladimir Bolea, the minister of infrastructure and regional development, traveled with him, along with Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatîi and Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu. The delegation’s presence signals the specific technical and strategic priorities of the trip.

The itinerary includes high-level meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. Tofan and Koretskyi are also scheduled to attend the Kyiv International Economic Forum together. The forum focuses on investment opportunities, a topic that overlaps with the bilateral discussions planned for their private sessions.

Energy security remains a central point of contention for Moldova. Tofan stated on October 12 that his country was considering purchasing natural gas from Ukraine to meet domestic needs. He indicated that this possibility would be a key item on the Kyiv agenda. Earlier in the month, on October 14, Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Tofan. That conversation covered winter preparations and common challenges in the energy sector.

Beyond energy, the two prime ministers will discuss how to deepen trade cooperation and address regional security concerns. Both nations are working toward European Union membership, and the talks will examine the respective paths each country is taking to join the bloc. The Moldovan government outlined these subjects in its official statement regarding the visit.

President Maia Sandu addressed a separate issue regarding population movement. She stated that Moldova is prepared to accept new refugees from Ukraine if the humanitarian situation worsens. Her comment clarified the country’s readiness to host additional people should departures increase.

The working visit concludes the initial phase of bilateral engagement for the current month. The outcomes of the meetings with Zelenskyy, Koretskyi, and Stefanchuk will determine the next steps in the energy and trade negotiations.