WAR IN UKRAINE – The EU will support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary in its war against Russia, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told a press briefing on Thursday, held jointly with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. This is the third visit to Ukraine the EU official has paid since February 24, the start of the invasion. Meanwhile, Russian shelling continues on the ground. President Zelensky said cities and settlements recaptured by Ukrainian troops were found destroyed by the Russians. The Government has condemned the attacks, saying they come in response to Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the northeast.
DECISION – The Romanian Government has passed a draft law on protecting the IT systems of public authorities and institutions in the context of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Thus, the Government will have all central and local authorities replace the Russian anti-virus software and apps for fear they may be used as spying tools by Moscow. The draft law, initiated by the Ministry of Research and Innovation, is in line with similar decisions taken by countries like Germany and Italy, which have decided to replace the Kaspersky anti-virus software used by public authorities in order to prevent any cyber-attacks from Russia.
ENERGY – Romania’s gas stocks for the winter will exceed, by the end of this week, the minimum level of 80% set by the European Commission, Energy Minister Virgil Popescu has announced. According to Minister Popescu, Romania has enough stocks to get through winter, although there will be a complicated period in the entire EU, with uncertainties related to Russian gas supplies. Virgil Popescu said the new decree on capping the price of energy could be modified to support people whose life depends on oxygen devices that use a lot of energy and thus exceed the ceiling set by the law in force. The Government has also announced it considers granting bonuses to those who want to save energy.
