February 24, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 24.02.2024, 18:44

Support. The Government of Romania will keep intensifying the concrete and multidimensional support for Ukraine, reads a press release issued by the Romanian Executive, marking two years since the beginning of the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, an unprovoked, illegitimate and illegal act, in contradiction with all the principles of the UN Charter and the norms of international law.  Romania has stood by Ukraine since the first moments of this tragedy and made constant and substantial efforts to support the Ukrainian state, as well as the seriously affected population,  the Romanian Government stressed.  To symbolically mark the significance of this moment and the solidarity with Ukraine, on February 24 the Government building was illuminated in the Ukrainian colors and the flag of Ukraine was flown at the main entrance of the Parliament Palace and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The sacrifice of the Ukrainian people will be marked by the Chamber of Deputies with a minute of silence for the Ukrainian citizens who have lost their lives in this unjustified war, on Monday, February 26, in the plenary session of the legislative forum. In turn, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has stated that “it is necessary for the Romanian authorities, together with international partners, to continue efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and especially for the integration of those who are on the territory of the Romanian state”. Millions of Ukrainians have crossed the border into Romania. Some have stayed and others have gone to other countries. In Romania they have found warmth, empathy and support from the entire society.

Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv on Saturday, to mark two years since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Western leaders also met with Volodymyr Zelensky at Hostomel airport, captured by Russian troops in the early hours of the invasion and the scene of violent fighting. Upon arrival in Kyiv, the president of the European Commission welcomed the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people. “More than ever we stand firmly by Ukraine – financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free’, she added. On Friday, the EU approved the 13th package of sanctions against Russia. Also on Saturday, Britain announced a financial package of 245 million pounds to help Ukraine restore its ammunition stocks. On the same day, President Zelensky signed bilateral security agreements with the Italian and Canadian prime ministers. Italy and Canada thus joined Great Britain, Germany, France and Denmark in concluding a 10-year security agreement with Kyiv – agreements designed to strengthen Ukraine’s security until it becomes a NATO member. The show of Western solidarity with Kyiv comes amid concerns about dwindling support for Ukraine and the blocking by the Republicans in the US Congress of an aid package for Ukraine.

Navalny. Following an initiative by the Romanian MEP Nicu Ştefănuţă, the European Parliament will dedicate a day to Aleksei Navalny “I am glad to see that my request was supported by my fellow MEPs from all corners of Europe and from all political families. We need solidarity and unity. The few Russians who stand up to Putin need to know that they are not alone. In the current international context, with Russia increasingly involved on the front in Ukraine and with Washington’s reluctance towards further aiding Ukraine, it is time for Europe to take the initiative and stop repeating the mistakes of the past, to say a firm ‘NO’ to the Kremlin’s extremism and not take any step back in front of Putin’, explained Nicu Ştefănuţă, vice-president of the European Greens. The fact that a critical voice can be repeatedly sentenced to prison, without a real trial, and then disappear without explanation, shows that Russia is constantly moving away from any coexistence with European values”, the press release states. The MEP asked for a day dedicated to commemorating the courage that Navalny had, and following this gesture, Iulia Navalnaia, the wife of the Russian opponent, will give a speech on Wednesday, at the next plenary session of the European Parliament.

Partnership. The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminiţa Odobescu, and her Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, have adopted, in New Delhi, the Joint Declaration on the 10th anniversary of the Romania-India Extended Partnership, “a landmark” in the history of cooperation between the two countries. According to a press release issued by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the meeting between the two officials took place on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue International Conference and provided the opportunity for a substantial exchange of views on regional and global issues of common interest, against the backdrop of security developments. The joint anniversary declaration aims to strengthen Romanian-Indian bilateral relations, as well as cooperation in a multilateral context. It also underlines the sectoral priority approach in three areas, namely energy, IT&C and manufacturing. Both ministers appreciated the progress made in the development of bilateral relations and confirmed the common commitment to the consolidation of collaboration in priority areas, with an emphasis on economic relations and sectoral cooperation. The two dignitaries also highlighted the importance of cooperation in addressing challenges and promoting regional and international stability.

Dragobete. On February 24, Romanians celebrated Dragobete, the local equivalent of St. Valentine’s Day. A mythological deity similar to Eros (the god of love, in Greek mythology) or Cupid (the Roman god of love), Dragobete, also known as Dragomir, is imagined as a strong-willed, handsome and lovable lad who lives mostly in the woods. Dragobete, a holiday with a thousand-year tradition, also marks the beginning of spring and the agricultural year. (MI)