This bill requires the Secretary of State to facilitate a strategic dialogue between the United States and the Republic of Moldova at least once a year. Topics listed for the dialogue include defense and security cooperation; Moldova’s progress toward European Union accession and U.S. support through assistance, investment, and public-private partnerships; strengthening economic and energy ties including support for the Straseni-Gutinas transmission line project; affirming Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; expanding the State Partnership Program with North Carolina; and supporting American Spaces in Moldova.
The bill directs the Secretary of State to submit, within 30 days of enactment, a report that includes a four-year strategy to bolster U.S.–Moldova relations and to support Moldova’s goal of joining the European Union by 2030. The report must also describe actions taken since January 20, 2025 to counter malign influence by the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in Moldova, list active and cancelled foreign assistance programs in or related to Moldova since that date, and describe actions to support Moldova’s EU accession and expanded cooperation with NATO.
The bill also preserves certain sanctions by requiring that sanctions in effect on enactment against a listed set of individuals and entities (including Ilan Shor, the Shor Party, Vlad Plahotniuc, Maksim Yakubets, the National Engineering Corporation, and related persons) may not be terminated until the Secretaries of State and the Treasury submit written certification to, brief, and consult with the appropriate congressional committees. It also restricts waivers or terminations of certain visa ineligibility provisions until similar certifications and briefings are provided to Congress.
The bill includes a Sense of Congress section that describes Moldova’s democratic commitments, praises U.S. foreign assistance to Moldova, and warns about Russian efforts to undermine Moldova.
If enacted, the State Department must organize at least one annual strategic dialogue with Moldova covering defense, EU accession, energy projects (including the Straseni-Gutinas transmission line), and other cooperative programs such as the State Partnership Program with North Carolina and American Spaces. The Department must deliver a 30-day report with a 4-year strategy to support Moldova’s EU accession by 2030, list assistance programs and cancelled programs since January 20, 2025, and describe steps taken to counter Russian and Chinese influence. Named sanctions and certain visa restrictions cannot be lifted until the State and Treasury Departments certify to and brief Congress.
No publicly available information.
The bill states that proponents see Moldova as having advanced democracy, pursued EU membership, and benefited from U.S. assistance in energy security and economic development. It describes the U.S.–Moldova Strategic Dialogue as an important platform and characterizes Russian actions as a threat to Moldova’s sovereignty, institutions, and energy security.
No publicly available information.