UKRAINE – Romania condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and of its obligations under international law, the PM of Romania Nicolae Ciucă said after Tuesday’s meeting in Kyiv with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal. Mr. Ciucă announced on Wednesday that Romania is considering opening new checkpoints on the Ukrainian border. He emphasised the importance of the opening of the Isaccea-Orlivka checkpoint in the south-east in 2020, and of deregulating freight transport for Ukrainian operators on April 5. The number of Ukrainian nationals to enter Romania was 50% higher on Tuesday than on the previous day, the Border Police announced on Wednesday.
NATURAL GAS – Russia’s decision to discontinue natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria is an aggressive and unacceptable move, seen by the EU as a form of blackmail, said the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. „We will make sure that Gazprom’s decision has the smallest possible impact on European consumers,” she told a press conference on Wednesday. The European Commission chief advised European energy providers not to give in to Russia’s request to have natural gas supplies paid for in rubles, and emphasised that this would most likely be a violation of the EU sanctions against Russia. After they refused to pay for natural gas in the Russian currency, Poland and Bulgaria are the first EU member states targeted by a suspension of Russian gas supplies. In this context, Greece announced it would assist Bulgaria, while Poland announced current gas supplies cover the country’s domestic demand.
SUPPORT – Defence Minister Vasile Dincu has reiterated Romania’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. The Romanian official spoke within the Ukraine Defence Consultative Group hosted on Tuesday by the US air base in Ramstein, Germany. Dincu had a brief meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov whom he assured of our country’s full support for Ukraine and the readiness of keeping a constant and open dialogue whenever necessary. In Ramstein, the USA and their allies have pledged to support Ukraine by providing heavy artillery equipment. The event was held at the initiative of US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and involved the participation of scores of defence ministers and chiefs of staff.
(Radio Romania International)
