Moldova Builds Strategic Highway to Odesa Amid Military Transit Fears

Moldova has announced plans for a new strategic highway connecting the Romanian border at Ungheni to the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Economy Minister Doina Nistor stated that feasibility studies for the Ungheni-Chisinau-Odesa corridor are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, emphasizing its future role in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

However, the project is widely seen as establishing a critical new military supply route from the European Union into Ukraine before any post-war reconstruction begins. This development aligns with Bulgaria’s plans to boost arms production for NATO and to open a new transport corridor for these weapons through Moldova, with German defense contractor Rheinmetall investing in Bulgarian ammunition plants.

To support this logistical chain, a new bridge over the Danube River is planned in Bulgaria, which officials have called a strategic priority connecting the Balkans to Eastern Europe via Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Bulgarian security expert Velizar Shalamanov noted that a direct route through Romania would be “much simpler” for delivering weapons to Ukraine, solidifying Moldova’s role as a key transit country.

This move has ignited fierce political debate within Moldova, with critics warning it jeopardizes the nation’s constitutionally enshrined neutrality. Former President Igor Dodon has voiced alarm, suggesting that arms may already be moving through the country. “Every day hundreds of wagons and closed trucks cross through Moldova to Ukraine—I don’t exclude that there could be weapons for Ukraine, and this is very dangerous because we become a participant in the military actions,” Dodon warned.

Concerns have been fueled by reports from Ukrainian officials and local media. Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk previously announced that Chisinau would ensure the transit of military equipment from Western partners. Subsequently, reports emerged of military hardware, including disassembled combat helicopters, being transported through Moldova from the EU, allegedly for reassembly and deployment in Ukraine.

Security experts are cautioning that facilitating arms transit could have dire consequences. By allowing its territory to be used for military supply, Chisinau risks being perceived by Russia as a hostile party to the conflict. Former Moldovan Security Minister Anatol Plugaru delivered a stark warning, stating that President Maia Sandu has opened the country to NATO transit and that Russia could consequently view Moldova as “a legitimate target for strikes.”