February 24, 2023

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 24.02.2023, 13:55

Ukraine. Today is the first anniversary of the war started by Russia
against Ukraine. The response of the international community from the moment
the first bombs fell on Ukraine on 24th February has been to condemn
the Russian aggression, open borders for millions of Ukrainian refugees and
send humanitarian and military aid. Also, the international community has
imposed sanctions on Moscow aimed at weakening its war machine and propaganda.
The members of the European Council on Thursday adopted a declaration
condemning the war of aggression begun a year ago by Russia and emphasising that
the EU would continue to provide political, economic, humanitarian, financial
and military support for Ukraine. Also on Thursday, all EU institutions in
Brussels were symbolically lit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, as well as
the Eiffel Tower in Paris, while a vigil for Ukraine was held in London.
Reuters notes that Russia’s war in Ukraine has become one of attrition, with
both sides suffering increasingly heavy losses. Moscow controls around a 5th
of Ukraine’s territory.

Support. Romanian president Klaus Iohannis today sent a message on the
first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in which he said his country
would continue to support Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary.
This battle must be won by Ukraine, and Russia must be held accountable for
the crimes committed and the lives destroyed. Dear Ukrainian people, you are not
alone! You have a reliable friend in Romania, who is supporting you in this
unjust battle! It is our responsibility, of us all, to contribute to the
victory and build a better future, in peace! Romania stands and will continue
to stand by Ukraine!, said the Romanian president in his video message. He
also thanked the Romanian people for their solidarity with and empathy for
their Ukrainian neighbours. Prime minister Nicolae Ciucă said the Romanian
people, who are strongly attached to the values of the European Union and the
North Atlantic Alliance, will continue to support the objective of peace and
freedom in Ukraine, a country that has become the outpost of the fight to
defend the democratic world. The speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel
Ciolacu is today visiting the Mihail Kogălniceanu 57th Air Base to
thank the Romanian and international troops for what they do every day to keep
Romania and the entire NATO eastern flank safe.

Resolution. Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Thursday at
a special meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York that Bucharest wants
peace for Ukraine but that at the moment the hostilities are at an alarming
level, with no signs of diminishing, with unimaginable suffering for the
civilian population and drastic and long-term consequences. According to a
statement from the Romanian foreign office, minister Bogdan Aurescu also said
the hybrid warfare conducted by Moscow and further intensified by fake news,
disinformation and malign influences seeks not only to destabilise the region
and the most vulnerable states, but also to undermine their unity, mutual trust
and solidarity. Minister Aurescu recalled that Romania supports the creation of
a special tribunal to
prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine. He welcomed the adoption, by
overwhelming majority, of a resolution entitled Principles of the Charter
of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in
Ukraine in which the UN General Assembly condemns Russia for its invasion of
Ukraine and calls for the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of
troops.

Concert.
To mark one year since Russia’s war in Ukraine, violinist Alexandru Tomescu,
cellist Răzvan Suma and pianist Sînziana Mircea together with Radio Romania’s
orchestras and music choirs will give a special performance tomorrow at Radio
Romania’s Concert Hall entitled Life in a Suitcase. Ukrainian-born flutist Mariia
Velia, a second-year student at the University of Music in Bucharest, is also
invited to perform. Organised by Radio Romania’s culture channel, the culture
aims to highlight the drama of the millions of people who were forced to leave
their country, taking with them nothing but a suitcase. Also in connection with
the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the foyer of Radio Romania’s
Concert Hall on Thursday hosted the opening of an exhibition of photographs by Ilie
Pintea, the special correspondent in Ukraine of Radio Romania’s news and
current affairs channel. Entitled Ukraine – faces of war, the exhibition
stays open until the end of March. (CM)