Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, said on the sidelines of the EU Council Summit in Brussels that risks in the Black Sea region are escalating, and concerted efforts are needed to provide assistance and an adequate response to the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The president expressed concern with developments on the ground, both in terms of security as well as humanitarian assistance in eastern and southern Ukraine, highlighting the humanitarian support and facilitating grains exports via the port of Constanța and other ports on the Danube. President Iohannis pointed out the importance of supporting the EU accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia by sending out a “strong” message of political solidarity. EU leaders agreed in Brussels to block a large part of Russian oil imports. The last-minute compromise deal will, for the time being, only affect deliveries by sea but not those by pipeline, which Hungary opposed. European Council president Charles Michel said, however, that the agreement cuts off a big source of financing for the Russian war machine. The measure is part of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia since the start of the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.
