Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Council of the European Union has appointed Kirsten Joppe as the new Head of Mission for the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova). She will begin her role on 25 April 2026, succeeding Cosmin Dinescu. Joppe is a German governance expert with over 20 years of experience in peace operations and human rights. Her background includes leadership roles in election assistance, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, and the German Federal Foreign Office, where she served as a country desk officer for Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In November 2024, Joppe joined EUPM Moldova as Deputy Head of Mission and Chief of Staff, following more than six years with the European Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM). In Ukraine, she led the Strategic Reform Component, focusing on areas such as strategic reform, digitalisation, human rights, gender equality, and anti-corruption.
The EU’s Political and Security Committee made the decision to appoint Joppe on 22 April 2026. Established in April 2023 for an initial two-year period, EUPM Moldova aims to strengthen Moldova’s security sector resilience. The Mission focuses on crisis management, hybrid threats such as cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). Its mandate has been extended until 31 May 2027.
The Mission comprises over 70 permanent members, including international and local staff.