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Kyiv slams Romania's Georgescu over comments on Ukraine's partition

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Kyiv slams Romania's Georgescu over comments on Ukraine's partition
Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu gives a statement to the media near Bucharest, Romania, on Nov. 26, 2024. (Andrei Pungovschi/Getty Images)

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Jan. 30 condemned Romania's far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu's statement that Ukraine is a "fictional state" whose partition is "inevitable," labeling his statements as Russian propaganda.

"His attempts to position himself as an 'independent' politician look absurd — the rhetoric he voiced is identical to Russian propaganda, indicating complete dependence on his masters in Moscow," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said.

Georgescu's comments, made in a Jan. 29 interview, were dismissed by Ukraine as revisionist and contrary to international norms, the U.N. Charter, and democratic values.

Tykhyi noted that Ukraine remains confident in Romania's support for a "comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace" in Ukraine. "We remind you that such a development is not part of the plans of the Kremlin and its puppets," he said.

Pro-Russian ultranationalist Georgescu succeeded unexpectedly in Romania's first round of presidential elections in November 2024. The constitutional court later annulled the results over alleged Russian interference and a hybrid campaign on TikTok that reportedly boosted Georgescu's candidacy.

Georgescu remains the frontrunner for the rescheduled May election, polling 38%. He has openly opposed military aid to Ukraine and the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romania.

During his interview, Georgescu also claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump would strike a quick deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he suggested would relieve Romania of its commitments to support Ukraine.

Romania's current leadership has been a staunch ally of Ukraine, providing military aid, including a Patriot air defense system, hosting F-16 pilot training, and facilitating the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products.

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Tim Zadorozhnyy

Reporter

Tim Zadorozhnyy is the reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations and the European Studies program at Lazarski University, offered in partnership with Coventry University. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa in 2022. After relocating to Warsaw, he spent a year and a half with the Belarusian independent media outlet NEXTA, initially as a news anchor and later as managing editor. Tim is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

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