U.S. Rep. Swalwell Returns From Trip To Ukraine-Bordering Country

ALEMEDA COUNTY, CA -- U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Alameda County) returned home today following a visit to Moldova, which borders Ukraine to the north.

Over the two-day trip, the Congressman, who represents most of eastern and southwestern Alameda County as well as part of Contra Costa County, met with Moldova's President, Maia Sandu, and Prime Minister, Natalia Gavrilița, to express gratitude for the country's humanitarian support to Ukraine and encourage progress toward democratic and anti-corruption reforms.

"As a neighbor to Ukraine, Moldova is on the front lines of Russia's effort to destroy a democracy," Swalwell said. "During the visit, I met with Moldova's president and prime minister to express U.S. support for Moldova's efforts to reform and transition to a fully-functioning democracy. With the future of democracies threatened worldwide, Moldova's success is America's success. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to support democracies like Ukraine and Moldova."

Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union and became a democratic nation in 1991, but it wasn't until 2020 did the country elect its first pro-Western, anti-Russian leader. So far, the country has welcomed 88,000 refugees and is also facilitating safe passage for over 500,000 Ukrainians who are fleeing the border, according to Swalwell's office.