Ilie Bolojan, received in Chisinau by President of Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu

The interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, was received, on Saturday morning, in Chisinau, by the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu. Romania and the Republic of Moldova insist that no decision regarding peace in Ukraine and the future of the Ukrainian people can be taken without Ukraine and without adequate security guarantees, Romania's interim president Ilie Bolojan told a joint conference with his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu on March 1.Ilie Bolojan said, at the end of a meeting with Maia Sandu, that "how peace will be obtained for Ukraine will decisively influence" the common security of Romania and the Republic of Moldova."We had an exchange of views on the implications of the peace talks in Ukraine and the strategic importance of the Black Sea region. Romania and the Republic of Moldova insist that no decision on peace in Ukraine and no decision on the future of the Ukrainian people can be taken without Ukraine and without adequate security guarantees. How peace will be achieved for Ukraine will have a decisive influence on our common security. I have also emphasized that the trilateral dialogue format Romania - Republic of Moldova - Ukraine is essential for deepening the connectivity of the three states, especially in the field of energy," said Bolojan.In the context of the talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US leader Donald Trump, Ilie Bolojan declared himself to be a "moderate optimist" regarding the conclusion of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, but expressed the hope that "wisdom will prevail"."I think that yesterday, if the dialog [between Volodimir Zelenski and Donald Trump - editor's note]) had ended with the signing of an agreement, it would have been an important step for things to move in a direction of stability and it is a pity that this dispute has delayed the signing of an agreement. I am a moderate optimist and I think that, apart from the discussions which cannot be linear in such very complex issues - to reach a ceasefire in the first stage and then a peace agreement that is designed in such a way to ensure a stable peace in this region - they cannot be closed very quickly, but I hope that wisdom will prevail and things will move towards what we all want, towards finding solutions for peace," said Bolojan.The Romanian interim president explained that Ukraine needs a lasting peace, because "if Russia's expansionist mindset remain a constant in the coming years, it means that we can think about the resumption of a new conflict"."The situation is complicated in this region and, without finding solutions for a lasting peace, any kind of ceasefire that is not a stable issue may be only a short period of calm and, if Russia's expansionist mindset remain a constant in the coming years, we can think of a new conflict. And, as I said yesterday, Ukraine can be only the first victim, and we want from this point of view to reach a solution for a lasting peace,", said Ilie Bolojan.  (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)