MAE: Romania reaffirms unwavering support for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine

Romania reaffirms, in the context of the war unleashed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, its consistent position and "unwavering" support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, informs a press release sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) on Thursday.According to the ministry, Romania "strongly" condemns the Russian Federation's "illegal and unprovoked" war of aggression against Ukraine, which represents a "flagrant" violation of the UN Charter and Russia's obligations as a permanent member of the Security Council. Romania supports Ukraine's right to pursue its objectives of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry affirms.The Foreign Ministry further recalls that, since the beginning of the invasion, Romania has "firmly" supported Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression, offering multidimensional aid and playing a critical role in facilitating Ukrainian grain exports."Romania's stance is directly linked to the national interest in ensuring security and stability in its immediate neighborhood and in the Black Sea region and stems from its deep attachment to international law. Romania does not recognize the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation of the temporarily occupied territories belonging to Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula," the ministry also specifies in its release.This was reiterated most recently on the occasion of the Romanian foreign affairs minister's visit to Brussels, both in the EU-level dialogue, and in talks with the NATO Secretary General, as well as in the telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, the MAE press release further reads."The political-diplomatic relationship between Romania and Ukraine is based on the principle of good neighborliness, covering numerous areas of political and sectoral cooperation. The bilateral relationship is and will remain anchored in common values, mutual respect and attachment to democracy and the principles of international law," the Foreign Affairs Ministry also points out.      ****   Ukraine on Thursday slammed remarks from Romanian politician Calin Georgescu on the country’s territorial integrity, https://www.aa.com.tr/ reads.   In an interview with Romanian journalist Ion Cristoiu late Wednesday, Georgescu called Ukraine an “invented state” and suggested the division of Ukrainian territories among neighboring European countries, including Romania.   “Romanian politician Calin Georgescu’s statements, which question the territorial integrity of our state, represent extreme disrespect for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said in a statement published by the ministry.   Tykhyi said that Kyiv considered such statements or actions that encroach on multiple norms and values, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to be “categorically unacceptable.”   “Against this backdrop, Calin Georgescu's attempts to position himself as an ‘independent’ politician look absurd: his statements parrot Russian propaganda, which indicates complete dependence on his masters in Moscow,” Tykhyi further said.   The spokesman went on to say that Ukraine is convinced that it is in the interests of Romania and its people to restore “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in neighboring Ukraine,” and for “the development of our two states in peace, security, and prosperity for our people.”   He added that Kyiv appreciates Romania and its people’s support for the country since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022.