Radio România Internațional

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Romania will not face a food crisis

After the potassium iodide pill craze and the queues at the gas stations, a new wave of mass panic followed in Romania: recently, the price of edible oil has doubled or even tripled, because people bought very large amounts for fear that, because of the conflict in Ukraine, they might no longer find the product in stores. Ukraine, Romanias neighbor, was, before the moment of Russia’s aggression against it, Europe’s main supplier of crude edible oil, and since the outbreak of the war, its price has doubled. The Romanian economy minister, Florin Spătaru, has announced that controls are starting at the edible oil traders and distributors. He has given assurances that there is no reason to panic, and that Romania has sufficient food reserves.

Florin Spătaru: There is no reason to worry that we will no longer have stocks of edible oil and we should not react to the doubling or tripling of prices that have no economic justification.

Florin Spătaru is convinced that these controls will defuse the so-called ‘edible oil crisis’, just as happened in the case of the fuel craze. The agriculture minister, Adrian Chesnoiu, stated, after new discussions with the representatives of the production, processing, and marketing chains, that Romania is not running the risk of a food crisis, because it produces enough to cover its domestic consumption, including in terms of sunflower oil.

Romania ranks first in the European Union in terms of sunflower production and has also been the largest exporter of seeds at EU level in the last five years. The conclusion of the talks with the representatives of the farmers, of the edible oil producers and of the big commercial networks is that, until the new harvest, Romania has sufficient stocks for the domestic production of sunflower oil.

Adrian Chesnoiu: “We produce enough food and agri-food products so that we can be independent in terms of foodstuffs. Now, Romania is not running any risk of a food crisis or of major imbalances, because it produces enough food for the consumption needs of the population.

In turn, the farmers representative, Alina Gheorghiţă, underlined that the vegetable production exceeds the need of the country, which, in her opinion, should increase the peoples psychological comfort and dispel fears of an edible oil shortage. George Bădescu, representing the Association of Large Commercial Networks, has pointed out that buying thoughtfully eliminates the risk of foodstuffs expiring at home. He has recommended consumers to buy moderately and avoid food waste. Rumors in times of war are dangerous, and the authorities are again calling on the citizens to get informed only from official sources, in order to avoid unclear situations. (LS)

14 March 2022
March 12, 2022 UPDATE

Stocks — Romania has sufficient stocks of non-perishable food stuffs and products, there are enough goods in warehouses and stores, and the authorities are in constant contact with retailers – said Saturday the Government spokesman, Dan Cărbunaru. His statement comes after many Romanians stormed the shops to buy oil, following rumors that this product will disappear from the shelves. The Agriculture Minister, Adrian Chesnoiu, has confirmed that Romania has sufficient stocks of oil until the new sunflower harvest, therefore no imbalances will occur. He recommended the population not to fall victim to hysteria, as happened a few days ago, when it was announced that the price of fuel would explode, which led to endless queues at gas stations. And that, after last weekend was dominated by the chase for foreign currency, as the rumor went on the social networks that the collapse of the national currency was certain. The Romanian authorities draw attention, once again, that such false information is only intended to cause panic.

Humanitarian aid – Romania continues to help the Ukrainian refugees. The emergency number 112 and the special hot line for children, 119, are also available for calls in Ukrainian. Moreover, additional measures have been taken to prevent human trafficking at cross-border points. On Friday, an online platform was created which centralizes aid offers made to support the civilians taking refuge in Romania. The new platform was developed in record time with the support of over 600 volunteers. On the other hand, the Romanian government adopted on Saturday a draft decision on granting free transport and other facilities to the refugees from Ukraine. The Border Police informs that since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, over 380 thousand Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania, of whom over 304 thousand have left the country.

Talks — The Romanian Foreign Minister, Bogdan Aurescu, will discuss, on Sunday, in Bucharest, with his Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid, about how to manage the effects of the Russian aggression on Ukraine. According to a communiqué of the Romanian Foreign Ministry – MAE, the visit of the Israeli official takes place at the invitation of the Romanian FM, against the background of the worsening of the crisis caused by Moscow, but also of the very good Romanian-Israeli cooperation. Talks focus on the ways to evacuate Israeli citizens from Ukraine through Romania. Israel is one of Romanias main partners from the Middle East area, the bilateral relations of a strategic nature, constantly developing in recent years — MAE shows. Bogdan Aurescu and Yair Lapid will also discuss the development of bilateral relations, with focus on the political, economic and security fields. At the same time, they will assess the stage of preparations for the third Romania-Israel Joint Government Meeting scheduled to take place this year.

Ukraine — The French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked the Russian leader Vladimir Putin, in a telephone conversation, on Saturday, to immediately cease fire in Ukraine and begin seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict. In turn, Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian forces of “blatant violations” of the humanitarian law, urging France and Germany to put pressure on Kyiv to end that practice. Also on Saturday, Moscow announced that the Russian military could strike the Western arms supplies to Ukraine. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said any talks with Russia would have to start with a ceasefire and accused the West of insufficient involvement in the peace talks. In a new video, Zelensky called on the mothers of Russian soldiers to prevent their sons from being sent to war in Ukraine. Fighting continues on the ground in several cities, including the capital Kyiv, where the Russian forces continue their bombing. Ukraine accuses Russia of preparing a major assault on Kyiv, which it intends to encircle. Ukraine has announced it has lost 1,300 troops since the start of the war, and that the Russian invaders have suffered heavy losses. According to a new UN death toll, 579 civilians, including 42 children and young people, have been killed since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Pandemic — 2,743 new cases of COVID-19 were registered in 24 hours in Romania – the health ministry informed on Saturday. 59 related deaths were also reported, of which 12 from the previous reporting period. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is 3,600, with 595 being in intensive care. (LS)

12 March 2022
This week…in your letters

Being a long
time regular listener to RRI broadcasts I would like to share a happy and
delightful piece of news with my friends at RRI. The topic appeared in the
Indian Press on 5th March 2022. This concerns the appreciation and gratitude of
Indian students who have found love and affection in Romania in times of war.
It was reported that hundreds of Indian students who have returned from Ukraine
to India have deep gratitude for Romanians and now wish to donate to the
shelters run by local families who gave them care and refuge in their darkest
days. They were overwhelmed by the love and care given when they were hungry,
weary and in many cases traumatized. Having seen the worst while crossing the
Ukrainian border their trust in others was almost destroyed. However, the
kindness of Romanians restored their faith in humanity. The locals put up
stalls of food, shoes and other utilities for every student coming from
Ukraine. They made them feel cared for and comfortable. They recall how
Romanian families would visit them at the shelters bringing smiles and asking
whether they needed anything with the comforting words that they need not worry
and consider Romanians as their family. The care, love and warmth received have
set an example of how Romanians like to help foreigners in such terrible
conditions. Having being blessed with such hospitality the students want to do
something for those who had helped them. They cannot of course repay for what
Romanians have done for them but as a token of gratitude they have decided to
pool money and send it across. The local population of Romania have proved that
humanity is the best thing on earth.

Jayanta Chakrabarty, India

By the way, I
was surprised by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia, a member of the UN
Security Council for peace, is not allowed to invade other countries by force.
And, it is ridiculous to justify the logic of the beginning of the war in the
20th century. The war situation is confusing, so I cannot predict the future.
Why Putin could not have seen that if Russia were to be defeated, its power,
economy, and world leadership position would be significantly impaired? I’m not
a historian, but I think the logic of the war in the 20th century early period
will defeat Russia due to the logic of war in the 21st century. An example is
United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. Even if a puppet government is
created in Ukraine, its maintenance will be very expensive and will hunt down
the Russian economy. I think that the solidarity of the people of neighboring
Romania with the people of Ukraine will help achieve peace in Ukraine.

Mikio Kohara, Japan

Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine has obviously created a lot of problems for Romania what
with the influx of tens of thousands of refugees into the country. More than
1.000 Ukrainians have so far come to Sweden but I suppose we can expect a lot
more over the next days. It is such an unnecessary war as there has never been
any threat to Russia – rather the opposite. Only this morning I heard a report
that the number of nations with democratic governments has gone down. Sadly, it
seems many Russians tend to support the country’s dictatorial régime.

Chyrister Brunström, Sweden

My thanks to
you all for all your programmes and news from your part of Europe, doubly
important at the moment with ‘Vlad the Invader’ and his poisonous cronies
causing so much death and destruction to the poor victims in nearby Ukraine. We
can only hope that sanity prevails before too long, and it’s good that Romania
is doing so much to help the refugees driven from their homes by the Russian
Madman. Let us hope that this dangerous man doesn’t start World War 3, I
thought we were past all this nonsense when the Cold War ended back in 1989.

Alan Gale, the United Kingdom

It was really great to hear RRI stand with
Ukraine through these troubling times for their country and to put the
country’s culture on the international spotlight through this program, I know
that Canada stands united with Ukraine and the rest of our European allies.

Baden Mercer, Canada

12 March 2022
This week…in your letters

Being a long
time regular listener to RRI broadcasts I would like to share a happy and
delightful piece of news with my friends at RRI. The topic appeared in the
Indian Press on 5th March 2022. This concerns the appreciation and gratitude of
Indian students who have found love and affection in Romania in times of war.
It was reported that hundreds of Indian students who have returned from Ukraine
to India have deep gratitude for Romanians and now wish to donate to the
shelters run by local families who gave them care and refuge in their darkest
days. They were overwhelmed by the love and care given when they were hungry,
weary and in many cases traumatized. Having seen the worst while crossing the
Ukrainian border their trust in others was almost destroyed. However, the
kindness of Romanians restored their faith in humanity. The locals put up
stalls of food, shoes and other utilities for every student coming from
Ukraine. They made them feel cared for and comfortable. They recall how
Romanian families would visit them at the shelters bringing smiles and asking
whether they needed anything with the comforting words that they need not worry
and consider Romanians as their family. The care, love and warmth received have
set an example of how Romanians like to help foreigners in such terrible
conditions. Having being blessed with such hospitality the students want to do
something for those who had helped them. They cannot of course repay for what
Romanians have done for them but as a token of gratitude they have decided to
pool money and send it across. The local population of Romania have proved that
humanity is the best thing on earth.

Jayanta Chakrabarty, India

By the way, I
was surprised by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia, a member of the UN
Security Council for peace, is not allowed to invade other countries by force.
And, it is ridiculous to justify the logic of the beginning of the war in the
20th century. The war situation is confusing, so I cannot predict the future.
Why Putin could not have seen that if Russia were to be defeated, its power,
economy, and world leadership position would be significantly impaired? I’m not
a historian, but I think the logic of the war in the 20th century early period
will defeat Russia due to the logic of war in the 21st century. An example is
United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. Even if a puppet government is
created in Ukraine, its maintenance will be very expensive and will hunt down
the Russian economy. I think that the solidarity of the people of neighboring
Romania with the people of Ukraine will help achieve peace in Ukraine.

Mikio Kohara, Japan

Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine has obviously created a lot of problems for Romania what
with the influx of tens of thousands of refugees into the country. More than
1.000 Ukrainians have so far come to Sweden but I suppose we can expect a lot
more over the next days. It is such an unnecessary war as there has never been
any threat to Russia – rather the opposite. Only this morning I heard a report
that the number of nations with democratic governments has gone down. Sadly, it
seems many Russians tend to support the country’s dictatorial régime.

Chyrister Brunström, Sweden

My thanks to
you all for all your programmes and news from your part of Europe, doubly
important at the moment with ‘Vlad the Invader’ and his poisonous cronies
causing so much death and destruction to the poor victims in nearby Ukraine. We
can only hope that sanity prevails before too long, and it’s good that Romania
is doing so much to help the refugees driven from their homes by the Russian
Madman. Let us hope that this dangerous man doesn’t start World War 3, I
thought we were past all this nonsense when the Cold War ended back in 1989.

Alan Gale, the United Kingdom

It was really great to hear RRI stand with
Ukraine through these troubling times for their country and to put the
country’s culture on the international spotlight through this program, I know
that Canada stands united with Ukraine and the rest of our European allies.

Baden Mercer, Canada

12 March 2022
March 12, 2022

Ukraine — Romania continues to help the Ukrainian refugees. The emergency number 112 and the special hot line for children, 119, are also available for calls in Ukrainian. Moreover, additional measures have been taken to prevent human trafficking at cross-border points. On Friday, an online platform was created which centralizes aid offers made to support the civilians taking refuge in Romania. The new platform was developed in record time with the support of over 600 volunteers. On the other hand, the Romanian government is discussing today a draft decision on granting free transport and other facilities to foreign citizens or stateless persons in special situations, coming from the armed conflict area in Ukraine. The Border Police informs that since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, over 380 thousand Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania, of whom over 304 thousand have left the country.

Chisinau — The German government will take directly to Germany 2,500 Ukrainian refugees out of the more than 100,000 Ukrainians currently in the Republic of Moldova, said Saturday, in Chisinau, the German foreign minister Ms. Annalena Baerbock, against the backdrop of the escalating humanitarian crisis. The German official has pointed out that the Moldovan government will receive assistance worth 5 million Euros from the EU and 3 million Euros from the German government, besides the 37 million Euros promised for this year. In turn, the Moldovan vice prime minister and FM Nicu Popescu underlined that the Moldovan authorities would continue to help the refugees from Ukraine, but called for the help of the EU, since Chisinau is hardly coping with the inflow of refugees. AFP reported on Friday that France will also receive 2,500 Ukrainian refugees from Moldova. An ex-Soviet state with a majority Romanian–speaking population, of 2.6 million inhabitants, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine’s neighbor, is one of the poorest countries in Europe.

Talks — The Romanian Foreign Minister, Bogdan Aurescu, will discuss, on Sunday, in Bucharest, with his Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid, about how to manage the effects of the Russian aggression on Ukraine. According to a communiqué of the Romanian Foreign Ministry – MAE, the visit of the Israeli official takes place at the invitation of the Romanian FM, against the background of the worsening of the crisis caused by Moscow, but also of the very good Romanian-Israeli cooperation. Talks focus on the ways to evacuate Israeli citizens from Ukraine through Romania. Israel is one of Romanias main partners from the Middle East area, the bilateral relations of a strategic nature, constantly developing in recent years — MAE shows. In fact, Bogdan Aurescu and Yair Lapid will also discuss the development of bilateral relations, with focus on the political, economic and security fields. At the same time, they will assess the stage of preparations for the third Romania-Israel Joint Government Meeting scheduled to take place this year.

Tennis — The American tennis player Cori Gauff will play against the Romanian Simona Halep in the third round of the Indian Wells WTA 1,000 tennis tournament, which has prizes up for grabs worth over 8.5 million dollars. Also in the third round, the Russian Ana Kalinskaia will meet the Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Simona Halep (26 WTA) defeated the Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 on Friday, while Sorana Cirstea (27 WTA) defeated Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 7- 5. Also at Indian Wells, the Romanian pair Irina Begu/Monica Niculescu qualified to the round of 16, after beating the Ukrainian pair Daiana/Ivana Iastremska 6-1, 6-1. The Romanians will play the next match against the Japanese pair Eri Hozumi/Makoto Ninomiya.

Concert – We Are One, a charity concert organized in support of Ukrainian refugees, brings together big names in the music industry, today, on the National Arena in Bucharest. Among them: Armin Van Buuren, an internationally known DJ, Tom Odell – the artist who authored the song Another Love, the anthem of the peaceful protesters, Jamala, the Ukrainian singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, as well as many Romanian artists. According to the organizers, We Are One, which will last eight hours, is the largest humanitarian event ever organized in Romania. (LS)

12 March 2022
March 11, 2022

Visit — The US Vice President, Kamala Harris, arrives today, for the first time, in Romania, on the second stage of a diplomatic tour she has started in Europe. She is present in the region to discuss the war in Ukraine and to assure the allies on NATOs eastern flank that the United States is supporting them. President Klaus Iohannis and the US Vice President will discuss, in Bucharest, the measures to strengthen NATOs defense and deterrence posture the eastern flank. At the same time, they will approach the prospect of increasing the American and allied military presence in Romania, as an additional measure to ensure the security of the country and of the entire region. On the other hand, the two will talk about transatlantic coordination on imposing new sanctions on Russia. The visit takes place in the context of the 25th anniversary, in 2022, of the launch of the bilateral Strategic Partnership. On Thursday, Kamala Harris visited Poland, where she said the US was ready to defend every inch of the North Atlantic Alliance territory. At the same time, she gave assurances that Ukraine would receive all the help it needs and added that Russia would continue to face severe consequences and costs.

Ukraine — On the 16th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian troops are advancing slowly towards Kyiv today, and new bombings have been reported in Mariupol (southeast). Moreover, the Russian troops launched airstrikes on the Ukrainian cities of Dnipro, Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk (west). In turn, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that in the Chernihiv region (north) the Russian troops are suffering serious losses in the fight against Ukrainians, the invaders being demoralized and surrendering. On the other hand, the Russian leader Vladimir Putin is meeting in Moscow with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The two will discuss the conflict, and also economic cooperation, in the context of the Western sanctions. Western countries have also imposed new sanctions on Belarus, which hosted Russian troops on its territory, troops that launched attacks on Ukraine. On Thursday, the negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers Sergei Lavrov and Dmitro Kuleba, mediated by Turkey in Antalya, did not report any progress towards a ceasefire in Ukraine. They only discussed the promise to continue the humanitarian efforts to evacuate civilians, without any firm commitment from Moscow though. The G7 countries have announced that they will soon introduce a new package of sanctions against Russia, following one of the largest attacks by one state against another in Europe since World War II. More than 100,000 Ukrainians have been evacuated in the past two days, according to the authorities.

Summit – The war in Ukraine and its consequences on the economies and lives of European citizens are being discussed by the EU heads of state and government also on the 2nd day of the Versailles summit organized by the French presidency of the EU Council. Romania is represented at the summit by President Klaus Iohannis. The EU continues to provide humanitarian, medical and financial assistance to the refugees from Ukraine and to their host countries, European leaders said in a statement today. They reiterated that the EU would provide protection to all Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, the EU is calling on Russia to abide by international humanitarian rules and to ensure the safety of civilians who want to leave the country and to allow humanitarian aid to reach victims and those seeking refuge in Ukraine without any obstacle. On the other hand, the 27 officials continue today to discuss the plan proposed by the European Commission, which provides for the reduction, by two thirds, this year, of the Russian gas imports, so that by 2030 no EU country should buy any more hydrocarbons from Russia. The Russian gas accounts for more than 40% of European consumption and four complementary options are currently being considered: imports from other countries, diversification of energy sources – liquefied gas and shale gas, making consistent gas stocks before each winter and accelerating the development of energy from non-polluting sources.

Talks — The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has had telephone conversations with the Romanian and Bulgarian defense ministers about the situation in Ukraine and the issues related to NATO consolidation, a Pentagon spokesperson said. In a discussion with the Romanian defense minister Vasile Dîncu, the US official underlined the need for permanent coordination between NATO allies in connection with the events in Ukraine. The Pentagon chief welcomed Romanias intentions to host a humanitarian aid logistics center and discussed plans for deploying a French-led multinational fighting group in Romania. Lloyd Austin also spoke with the Bulgarian defense minister Dragomir Zakov about Bulgarias plans to form a NATO-led multinational fighting group on its territory.

Pandemic — Almost 3,000 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours were announced on Friday in Romania. 50 deaths were also reported of which 3 from the previous reference period. Less than 4,000 people are hospitalized, 608 being in intensive care. After almost two years of alert, all the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have been lifted in Romania since March 9. On the other hand, the authorities announce that the vaccination against COVID-19 is moving to the family doctors offices. The vaccination rate is still low, with just over 8.1 million people being fully vaccinated. (LS)

11 March 2022
March 10, 2022 UPDATE

EU — On Thursday, the PM Nicolae Ciuca received Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. His visit to Romania takes place in the context of the opening of the European logistics center for humanitarian aid hosted by Romania in Suceava, with the support of the European Commission. The head of government referred to the severe humanitarian impact of Russias unjustified, illegal and unprovoked military aggression on Ukraine. He emphasized the strategic need to maintain EU and NATO solidarity and unity in the context of the crisis. I am encouraged by the solidarity that the EU and its member states, including Romania, have shown so far with Ukraine – said the European Commissioner at the opening of the center in Suceava. The European continent is facing the biggest humanitarian crisis since World War II, Janez Lenarčič said. About 320,000 Ukrainians entered Romania in the first two weeks after the crisis broke out, and about 235,000 have already left the country.

Summit – EU leaders convene Thursday and Friday in Versailles, France, for a summit focusing on Europes energy independence, on strengthening the blocs defense and on the EU accession request signed recently by Ukraine. A new plan will be discussed, most likely to be funded through a new joint loan, in order to address the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As regards the energy crisis, the European Commission has recently presented the RePowerEU initiative, designed to reduce Europes dependence on Russian gas, which accounts for over 40% of the Unions natural gas consumption. As for Ukraine, a strengthened partnership is being considered, by tightening Kyivs ties with the European single market and connecting Ukraine with the European energy network.

Versailles – Romania is represented at the Versailles summit by President Klaus Iohannis. Before the meeting began, he said on Thursday that the main issues addressed would be the war in Ukraine and the energy situation. In preparation for the informal meeting, the Romanian head of state attended a videoconference meeting on Tuesday with the European Council President Charles Michel and the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, and Estonia, Kaja Kallas. He presented Romanias measures in support of Ukraine, including Bucharests decision to host a logistics center to coordinate and collect international humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, respectively. President Iohannis also pointed to Romanias support for the applications for EU membership submitted by Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. Klaus Iohannis also recalled Bucharests decision to increase defense spending from 2% to 2.5% of the GDP in 2023.

Visit — NATO has become “stronger” and Russia “weaker” following Russian aggression in Ukraine, the US Vice President Kamala Harris said in Warsaw on Thursday. During her visit to Poland, she spoke about the “atrocities” committed by the Russian armys invasion of the former Soviet republic. Kamala Harris met with the Polish President Andrzej Duda, who also denounced the “barbarism” of Russian forces, which is similar to genocide. The US Vice President is taking a short tour of Europe to send an additional signal of support to the states on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance against Moscows aggression. After Poland, Kamala Harris will arrive in Romania on Friday, where she will be received by President Klaus Iohannis. They will discuss Allied measures to strengthen NATOs deterrence and defense posture on the East Flank, including the prospect of increasing the US and Allied military presence in Romania. They will also tackle the issue of coordination of the transatlantic community on adopting new sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Vice President Kamala Harris visit to Bucharest is taking place in the context of the 25th anniversary of the launch of the bilateral Strategic Partnership.

Pandemic — More than 3,500 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections have been registered in the past 24 hours in Romania, the Strategic Communication Group reported on Thursday. Also 70 deaths were reported, of which 10 were from the previous reference period. About 4,000 people are hospitalized, 630 of whom are in ICUs. After almost two years of state of alert, all restrictions imposed by the pandemic have been lifted in Romania as of March 9. The Romanian authorities announce that the persons whose identity documents have expired in the last two years, during the COVID-19 epidemic, have the obligation to change their documents in the next three months.

Fuel — The Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca announced severe controls at all oil companies in Romania, after last nights population’s panic that led to the formation of queues at gas stations not seen for decades. The Prime Minister has warned that the necessary measures will be taken to stop any illegal, abusive practices that have no real economic justification whatsoever. The head of government made these statements after an emergency meeting with the ministers of energy and economy and the heads of Consumer Protection Agency, the Competition Council and the National Agency for Fiscal Administration – ANAF. The three institutions have already started actions to control and verify the situation generated by the unjustified increase in fuel prices. The Energy Minister also wrote in a social media post that the responsible institutions will be firm in the checks they have to make in connection with the increase in fuel prices and will give drastic sanctions to those who break the law. (LS)

10 March 2022
Hăbări ditu bana românească şi internaţională

UE — Premierul Nicolae Ciuca lu astipta gioi Janez Lenarčič, comisarul european tra agiutor umanitar și management a crizilor. Vizita a lui tru România s’ţăni tru contextul dişcllidiarillei centrului logistic european di agiutoru umanitar a curi nicukiru easti România la Suceava, cu agiutorlu a Comisiei Europene. Șeful guvernului spusi ti impactul umanitar sertu a agresiunillei militare nintimilleati, paranomu și niprovocate a Rusiei contra ali Ucrainei. El sumlinie ananghea strategică ta s’u ţănă solidaritatea și unitatea UE și NATO tru contextul crizei. Escu cu nădie di solidaritatea pi cari UE și statele a llei membre, inclusiv România, u spusiră pănă tora andicra di Ucraina — spusi comisarul european la dişcllidirea centrului di la Suceava. Continentul european s’confruntă cu nai ma mare criză umanitară di la al Doilea Polim Mondial, spusi Janez Lenarčič. Aproximativ 320.000 di ucraineni intraă tru România tru primile două săptămâni di la izbucnirea crizei, iara aproximativ 235.000 fudziră ditu văsilie.

Summit – Lidirlli UE s’aduna gioi și viniri la Versailles, Franța, tra un summit cari s’concentreadză pe indipendința energetică a Europei, pe anvărtuşearea apărării blocului și pe caftarea di adirare la UE simnată recentu di Ucraina. Va sa zburasca ti un nou plan, nai probabil s’hiba finanțat pritu un nou împrumut comun, tra s’abordiadza consecințele invaziei ruse a Ucrainei. Tru aţea ţi mutreaşti criza energetică, Comisia Europeană prezentă recentu inițiativa RePowerEU, cu scupo s’nicureadza dipendința Europei di gazul rusesc, cari reprezintă pisti 40% din consumul di gaze naturale al Uniuni. Tru ţi mutreaşti Ucraina, s’ari tu vidiala un parteneriat anvartusitu, pritu ligături ma streasi a Kievului cu piața unică europeană și conectarea Ucrainei la rețeaua energetică europeană.

Versailles – România easti reprezentată la summitul di la Versailles di prezidintulu Klaus Iohannis. Ninti s’ahurhească andamusea, el spusi, gioi, că principalele probleme abordate va s’hibă polimlu din Ucraina și situația energetică. Tru pregătirea andamasillei informale, șeful statului român lo parti, marț, la una andamusi pritu vidioconferință cu prezidintulu Consiliului European Charles Michel și cu primii miniștri ai Țărilor di Jos, Mark Rutte, Grecia, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Croația, Andrej Plenkovic, și Estonia, Kaja. Kallas. El prezentă misurle a României tru agiutorlu ali Ucrainei, inclusiv dicizia Bucureștiului ta s’hibă nicukirlu cu un centru logistic tra coordonarea și colectarea asistențăllei umanitare internaționale tra Ucraina și, respectiv, Republica Moldova. Prezidintulu Iohannis sublinie și agiutorlu a României tra caftarli di adirare la UE dipuse di Ucraina, Republica Moldova și Georgia. Klaus Iohannis adusi aminti diznau și di dicizia Bucureștiului ta s’crească hargili tra apărare di la 2% la 2,5% din PIB tru 2023.

Autoru: Udălu a hăbărloru

Armânipsearea: Taşcu Lala

10 March 2022
March 9, 2022

Pandemic ▪ Since March 8, at midnight, Romania has lifted all sanitary restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. After more than two years of state of emergency or alert and at the end of five pandemic waves, the Romanian authorities have decided, among other things, that the sanitary mask is no longer mandatory in both outdoor and indoor spaces, and access to various public spaces is no longer conditioned on the Covid certificate. Hospitals will continue to operate in a combined system, so that all hospitalized Covid-19 patients can be treated. At the same time, upon entering Romania, the passenger location form is no longer required. The heath minister, Alexandru Rafila, pointed out that individuals should be cautious and responsible in the next period, given that the Sars-CoV-2 virus has not disappeared.

Visit ▪ Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, will receive, on Friday, in Bucharest, the US Vice President, Kamala Harris. According to a presidential administration communiqué, Allied measures to strengthen NATOs deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank will be discussed, including the prospect of further increasing the US and allied military presence in Romania. They will also address the coordination of the transatlantic community in relation to adopting new sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The presence of Vice President Kamala Harris in Romania reconfirms the solidity of the bilateral Strategic Partnership, the communiqué also shows.

Ukraine ▪ Ukraine must withstand Russias attacks for the next 7-10 days so that Moscow cannot claim any victory, a senior Ukrainian government official said. According to Vadim Denisenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, the most likely targets are the city of Mariupol and the capital Kyiv. ‘They need at least one victory before they are forced to enter the final negotiations’ Denisenko wrote on Facebook. The statement comes in the context in which more than two million Ukrainians have fled the country to avoid the biggest assault on a European country since World War II, Reuters reports. On the other hand, the International Monetary Fund is to approve today 1.4 billion dollars worth of emergency funding for Ukraine to help the country respond to Russias invasion, according to Kristalina Georgieva, the organizations director general. More and more Western companies are leaving the Russian market under international sanctions. On Tuesday, the American chain McDonalds announced that it was temporarily closing its 850 restaurants in Russia and suspending all operations in that country. In Russia, the sale of foreign currency will be suspended until September 9, the Central Bank announced, as it was hit by unprecedented Western sanctions. Withdrawal of cash from foreign currency accounts opened in Russian banks will be limited to 10,000 dollars, and the rest can be withdrawn only in rubles at the current exchange rate. The ruble has broken new historic depreciation records against Western currencies in recent days. Russias economy suffered another blow on Tuesday after US President Joe Biden announced an embargo on oil and gas imports from the country.

Refugees – Nearly 320,000 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania since the onset of the Russian invasion until Tuesday, at midnight, the General Inspectorate of the Border Police informed. Of these, about 235,000 have already left Romania. On Tuesday, the inflow of Ukrainian refugees declined slightly. Both the Romanian authorities and the civil society have mobilized quickly and efficiently to provide accommodation, food, clothing and medicines to those fleeing the Russian invasion. The Romanians efforts were appreciated by international political figures and the Western press.

EU directive ▪ Romania is to transpose into national legislation a European directive on whistle-blowing protection. The whistleblower is a person who reports certain illegal, incorrect or unethical practices within the public or private company he or she works in. Today’s government agenda includes a bill in this regard. Another law aims at paying Romania’s contributions to the European Organ Exchange Association and to a program run by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Another decision will set the maximum limit of the reimbursable funding that the administrative-territorial units can make for a period of three years.

Pensions ▪ In Romania, the contribution to the Pension Pillar II will be increased by 1%, to 4.75%, starting with January 2024, according to a draft emergency ordinance put up for debate on the website of the Labor Ministry. The provision is included in the National Resilience and Recovery Plan and in the governing program. An employee currently transfers 25% of the gross salary to the pensions fund in the form of a social insurance contribution, of which 21.25% goes to the public pension system, and the rest to the private Pension Pillar II. (LS)

9 March 2022
March 7, 2022 UPDATE

Bucharest – The Romanian Interior Ministry will be able to call back military personnel or police officers put on a reserve status, or whose employment contract was terminated, and other categories of personnel, to manage the growing flow of Ukrainian refugees at the cross-border points, according to a decision made Monday by the government. There are more than 80,000 Ukrainian citizens in Romania, of whom 30,000 are minors. The emergency ordinance approved by the Executive on Monday also includes a number of other measures to provide support and humanitarian assistance to children, adults, people with disabilities and all Ukrainians coming to Romania. According to the Border Police, since the outbreak of the war, over 260,000 Ukrainians have entered Romania.

Ukraine — Front lines in Ukraine have seen little change in the last 24 hours, on the 12th day of the Russian invasion, and despite heavy bombing, the capital Kyiv is still under the Ukrainian army control, just like Kharkov, the country’s second largest city, AFP and EFE news agencies reported on Monday. The Russian forces are continuing besieging the southern port city of Mariupol, where an attempt to evacuate about 200,000 civilians has failed, with Russians and Ukrainians blaming each other. According to Kyiv authorities, more than 11,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the invasion, but they did not mention the losses registered by their own troops. The latest death toll from Russia was announced by Moscow on Wednesday, with only 498 dead, way below the Ukrainian army’s toll. According to the UN civilian death toll published on Monday, 406 people have been killed since the beginning of the invasion. In the meantime, the number of refugees in neighboring countries has exceeded 1.7 million. The February 24th invasion caused the worst refugee crisis after World War II, sparked off the outrage of the international community and led to harsh sanctions against Moscow.

Canada — Canada will resume air policing in Romania, using six CF-18 aircraft, in July, the Romanian FM Bogdan Aurescu said on Monday. His Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly said the number of Canadian troops, at that moment, could reach 200. ‘We enhanced our presence on the Eastern Flank, we made a frigate available NATO and we are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that the entire Eastern Flank and especially Romania are well protected, in the context in which we saw what Putins war did in Ukraine, your neighbors, Melanie Joly pointed out. Romania and Canada agree that strengthened alliances and partnerships are crucial to meeting current and future challenges, according to a joint statement signed Monday in Bucharest by the two ministers. According to the statement, the two countries will coordinate their efforts to strengthen the transatlantic relationship in all forms of cooperation.

Drill — The Romanian defense minister, Vasile Dîncu, had a working meeting on Monday with the defense minister of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren, in the 57 Air Base from Mihail Kogălniceanu (southeast). Vasile Dîncu underlined the importance of strengthening the cooperation relations between the two parties, in the field of defense and security and welcomed the presence at Mihail Kogălniceanu of the military detachment from this country participating in the multinational exercise Rapid Falcon 22, together with Romanian and American soldiers. The objectives of this exercise are joint training, increasing interoperability and joint response capability, as well as developing functional relationships between the participating structures. The Romanian official condemned the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, pointing out that Romania shows solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people and fully and unconditionally supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders.

NATO — Elements of the Belgian detachment, part of the NATO Response Force (NRF) activated by the North Atlantic Council on February 25, arrived in Romania on Monday, the Romanian Defense Ministry informed. Last week, French soldiers and technical equipment from the 27th Mountain Hunters Battalion from Annecy arrived in Romania. The French battalion was the first ground element of the NATO Response Force deployed in Romania, following the decision of the North Atlantic Council on February 25. In total, 500 French and 300 Belgian soldiers will join the Romanian military as part of the measures to strengthen the Alliances Eastern Flank.

Covid — 19 – In Romania, the state of alert will not be extended after March 8. It was set up in May 2020, after a two-month state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. About 3,200 Covid-19 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours, and 32 related deaths. Nearly 3,000 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, of whom 485 with the first dose. Romania has the second lowest vaccination rate among the 27 EU members, after Bulgaria. (LS)

7 March 2022
Funkbriefkasten 13.02.2022

Wir legen gleich los mit einer Frage von unserem Hörer Rainer Suckow, der uns einen ausführlichen Empfangsbericht zuschickte. Wir bedanken uns bei Herrn Suckow für seine Beobachtungen für eine ganze Woche, mit Screenshots der Empfangssituation. Zu ihrer Frage, ob die Sendung jeden Tag mit der gleichen Sendeleistung und Antenne ausgestrahlt wird. Wir gehen davon aus, das es jeden Tag nach demgleichen Muster abläuft. Was unsere Sender und Standorte anbelangt, so haben wir folgende Infos von unserem Chefingenieur Ianculescu erhalten: RRI verfügt insgesamt über sechs Sender: drei in Ţigăneşti (nördlich von Bukarest) mit einer jeweiligen Sendestärke von 300 kW (wobei 50 kW allein für DRM zur Verfügung stehen); zwei weitere Sender stehen in Galbeni bei Bacău im Nordosten Rumäniens mit ebenfalls 300 KW Sendestärke (für digitale Ausstrahlungen werden wiederum 50 kW genutzt) und ein weiterer, 100 kW starker Sender strahlt aus Săftica (bei Bukarest) aus. Dieser Sender arbeitet mit einer sogenannten log-periodisch rotierenden Antenne, und 50 kW sind auch hier für DRM reserviert. Die deutschsprachigen Sendungen werden ausnahmslos nach Mittel- und Westeuropa ausgestrahlt, allerdings reichen sie manchmal bis nach Nordamerika, und sogar aus Australien erhielten wir einmal einen Empfangsbericht von einem deutschsprachigen Hörer.

Einige Zeilen erreichten uns von unserem treuen Hörer Ralf Urbanczyk: Ich musste gerade feststellen, das mein letzter Empfangsbericht an Radio Rumänien International schon um die vier Monate her ist. Ich stand mit anderen Terminen so sehr im Zeitdruck, dass ich wieder einmal nicht die Zeit gefunden hatte, meine Berichte rechtzeitig abzuschicken. So will ich jetzt erst einmal den Bericht vom Monat Oktober 2021 abschicken und hoffe, dass noch eine entsprechende QSL-Karte mit dem Motiv vom Oktober 2021 vorrätig ist. Ihre Programme sind für mich weiterhin sehr interessant und informativ. Die Teilnahme der rumänischen Sportler bei den Olympischen Winterspielen in Beijing interessiert mich. Wenn ich über die Wettkämpfe höre, dann hoffe ich insgeheim, dass ein rumänischer Sportler das Kunststück fertigbringt, nach der Bronzemedaille des rumänischen Zweierbobs bei den Olympischen Winterspielen 1968 in Grenoble zum zweiten Mal eine winterolympische Medaille zu gewinnen. Rumänien hat doch wirklich beste Voraussetzungen für den Wintersport: Berge, Schnee und kalte Winter.

Doch irgendwie klappt es nicht. Das war schon so zu sozialistischen Zeiten, als der Sport noch mehr als Aushängeschild des Landes galt und viel Geld hineingeflossen ist (mit der Ausnahme des Zweierbobs 1968 in Grenoble), und ist es heute zu Zeiten der Freien Marktwirtschaft immer noch. Ich würde mich sehr freuen, wenn Sie mir noch diesen Empfangsbericht vom Oktober 2021 mit Ihrer passenden QSL-Karte vom Oktober 2021 bestätigen könnten, falls diese noch vorrätig sein sollte. Vielen Dank. Mulțumesc mult.

Lieber Herr Urbanczyk, wir freuen uns, dass uns Ihre Zuschrift erreicht hat und bedanken uns für ihren Empfangsbericht. Ob eine QSL-Karte vom Oktober 2021 noch vorrätig ist, kann ich Ihnen nur nach Absprache mit meiner Kollegion Mihaela bestätigen. Wir haben allerdings bereits viele Anfragen für Januar QSL-Karten bekommen und dazu möchte ich sagen, dass sie leider noch nicht vorhanden sind, aber wir hoffen, sie bald zu haben. Unser Hörer Ralf Urbanczyk hat allerdings ein wichtiges Thema angesprochen: die Unterfinanzierung des rumänischen Sports. Der rumänische Sport ist leider schon lange her nicht mehr ein Aushängeschild des Landes und die Olympischen Spiele vom vorigen Sommer haben dieses Problem wieder in den Vordergrund gerückt. Das Ministerium für Jugend und Sport verfügte 2021 über das kleinste Budget aller Ministerien, nicht viel mehr als das, was die politischen Parteien im Jahr 2020 erhielten. Das geringe Budget für den Sport ist keine pandemiebedingte Ausnahme, sondern in den letzten Jahren die Regel. Die Unterfinanzierung war allerdings vorigen Sommer der Auslöser eines Skandals bei den Olympischen Spielen in Tokio zwischen der Olympia-Silbermedaillengewinnerin und zweifache Weltmeisterin in Fechten Ana Maria Popescu und dem Ressortminister Eduard Novak.

Im Jahr 2021, dem Olympiajahr, verfügte das Ministerium für Jugend und Sport über einen Haushalt von 541 Millionen Lei, 5 % weniger als 2020 und 18 % weniger als 2019. Rumänien hat allerdings auch nicht mehr die Tradition der Höchstleistungen im Turnen und was die Wintersport angeht, selbst wenn das Land die besten Voraussetzungen dafür hat, bleibt das Fehlen konsequenter Investitionen in die Infrastruktur nach wie vor die Hauptursache für die Krise der bemerkenswerten Leistungen in diesem Bereich. Das ist die Schlussfolgerung vieler Protagonisten dieser Sportarten in Rumänien. Zu diesem Thema möchte ich noch hinzufügen, dass die Rumänen im Allgemeinen keine richtige Kultur des Sports haben. Nach Angaben des Nationalen Instituts für Statistik treiben nur 11,6 % der Rumänen über 15 Jahren wöchentlich Sport. Auch die Lebenserwartung der Rumänen ist mit 75,9 Jahren eine der niedrigsten in Europa, verglichen mit dem europäischen Durchschnitt von 78,2 Jahren. 11,6 % der Gesamtbevölkerung über 5 Jahren gaben an, in ihrer Freizeit wöchentlich Sport oder verschiedene körperliche Aktivitäten zu betreiben. Die meisten Menschen, die sich körperlich betätigen, sind Kinder zwischen 5 und 14 Jahren (50,2 %) und junge Menschen zwischen 15 und 24 Jahren (20,5 %). Danach sinkt der Anteil der Personen, die in ihrer Freizeit Sport treiben, erheblich, nämlich von 11,0 % in der Altersgruppe der 25- bis 34-Jährigen auf 0,3 % bei den über 75-Jährigen.

Auch Herr Ernst Meinhardt hat sich diese Woche bei uns gemeldet, Herr Meinhardt schrieb uns: Nimmt in Rumänien seit einem Jahr der Nationalismus stark zu? Ein Indiz dafür ist für mich der Aufstieg der fürchterlichen Partei AUR. Noch vor einem Jahr hatte sie ein Prozent Zustimmung, jetzt liegt sie bei 20 Prozent. Ein weiteres Indiz ist die Facebook-Seite des deutschen Bürgermeisters von Temeswar, Dominic Fritz. Sie wissen: Dominic Fritz stammt aus Deutschland, aus dem Schwarzwald. 2020 wurde er für die Partei USR zum Bürgermeister von Temeswar gewählt. Nach EU-Recht kann jeder EU-Bürger in jedem EU-Mitgliedsland bei Kommunalwahlen kandidieren. Worüber Dominic Fritz auf seiner Facebook-Seite auch schreibt, in den meisten Kommentaren wird er hinterher übelst nationalistisch und unter der Gürtellinie beschimpft. In einem Kommentar vor wenigen Tagen war — in rumänischer Sprache — zu lesen: Nimm deinen Johannis — gemeint ist natürlich Staatspräsident Klaus Johannis — und geht dorthin, wo ihr hergekommen seid.“ Bereits vor einigen Wochen habe ich Dominic Fritz geschrieben, dass ich gar keine Lust mehr habe, auf seine Facebook-Seite zu gehen, weil ich die nationalistischen Ausfälle gegen ihn unerträglich finde. Die Beschimpfungen beschränken“ sich nicht nur auf ihn, sondern es werden auch alle anderen beschimpft, die auf seiner Seite stehen — ganz gleich welcher Nationalität.

So einen unerträglichen Nationalismus kann ich mir in Deutschland kaum vorstellen. Seit Dezember 2021 ist die Rumänin Ana-Maria Trăsnea Bevollmächtigte des Landes Berlin beim Bund. In Deutschland hat jedes der 16 Bundesländer eine eigene Landesvertretung in Berlin. Chef dieser Landesvertretung ist der oder die Bevollmächtigte. Aufgabe der Landesvertretung ist es, die Interessen des jeweiligen Bundeslandes gegenüber der Bundesregierung, gegenüber dem Bundestag und im Bundesrat, also der Länderkammer, zu vertreten. Ana-Maria Trăsnea stammt aus Piatra Neamț, lebt seit ihrem 13. Lebensjahr in Berlin und ist Mitglied der Sozialdemokratischen Partei. Ich habe noch nie gehört oder gelesen, dass Frau Trăsnea als Amtsträgerin wegen ihrer Herkunft oder ihrer Nationalität von jemandem nationalistisch beschimpft worden wäre. Freundliche Grü‎ße aus Berlin und tun Sie bitte alles, was Sie können, um dem Nationalismus in Rumänien Einhalt zu gebieten.

Lieber Herr Meinhardt, wir bedanken uns für Ihren Empfangsbericht und für Ihre Zeilen. Der Aufschwung der Rechtspopulisten in Rumänien ist bestimmt besorgnisserrgend. Sie sagen jedoch, dass Sie sich so einen unerträglichen Nationalismus in Deutschland kaum vorstellen können und dass sie nie gehört oder gelesen haben, dass Frau Trăsnea in Berlin als Amtsträgerin wegen ihrer Herkunft oder ihrer Nationalität von jemandem nationalistisch beschimpft worden wäre. An dieser Stelle muss ich Ihnen gewisserma‎ßen widersprechen. Ich kann mir noch erinnern, als 2012, als ich in Berlin war, einen jungen Mann mit Migrationshintergrund am Alexanderplatz ermordert wurde. Ich habe zudem gerade nach NSU gegoogelt und ich bin auf Artikel gestossen, die von den beispiellosen Mordserien dieser Vereinigungen in Deutschland berichten.

Und nun kommen wir zu einem viel angenehmeren Thema: ich möchte mich recht herzlich bei unserem Hörer aus Wien, Herr Paul Gager für seine 55 köstlichen Rezeten bedanken. Coronabedingt hat uns das Magazin spät erreicht aber trotzdem mir persönlich eine gro‎ße Freude bereitet. Ich habe mir schon das erste Rezept ausgewählt, Schoko-Karamell-Pizza und ich hoffe, es wird auch bei mir so gut aussehen und natürlich auch schmecken wird wie im Magazin, das uns Herr Gager zukommen lie‎ß.

Lieber Hörerfreude, an dieser Stelle möchte ich mich von ihnen verabschieden. Wir bedanken uns recht herzlich für Ihre Emails und Empfangsberichte und ich erwarte Sie am nächsten Sonntag zu einer neuen Ausgabe vom Funkbriefkasten. Auf Wiederhören und bleiben Sie gesund!

7 March 2022
March 4, 2022

Ukraine – The second week of Russias invasion of Ukraine began with an alert at Ukraines largest nuclear power plant in the southeast. A fire broke out following Russian bombings, and fighting around the Zaporozhye plant delayed firefighters. Ukrainian officials said that safety at the power plant, which was later occupied by Russian military forces, was guaranteed and that radiation levels had not risen in the area. Also in Bucharest, the authorities announced that they do not detect increased radioactivity. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of resorting to nuclear terror with the intention of repeating the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986. The Kyiv leader spoke on the phone with the US President Joe Biden and the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who urgently asked for summoning the UN Security Council. Also today, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has warned that the Russian army continues preparations for the landing of airborne troops in the Odessa region, and Radio Romania’s envoy to the region reports that a ground and sea offensive is imminent. On the other hand, the second round of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations ended with an agreement on the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from the besieged areas, with the parties agreeing to meet next week as well. At least 1 million people have left Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. In Washington, President Biden has announced additional sanctions against Russian billionaires accused of supporting Vladimir Putins regime. At the same time, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting today in Brussels with the NATO foreign ministers, and he will later travel to Eastern Europe.

Meeting – The Romanian FM, Bogdan Aurescu, is participating today in Brussels in the extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the NATO member states, convened to analyze the latest security developments, in the context of Russias military aggression against Ukraine and to further discuss the Alliances response. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, Bogdan Aurescu will emphasize the need to strengthen the deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank, especially on the Black Sea, by deploying allied forces and by accelerating the establishment of a Fighting Group in Romania. Bogdan Aurescu will also present the measures adopted by Romania in support of Ukraine, including the creation of a logistical facility to coordinate humanitarian aid for this country. On the sidelines of todays meeting, the Romanian FM, Bogdan Aurescu, met with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavuşoglu. Bogdan Aurescu welcomed Turkeys implementation of its war responsibilities under the Montreux Convention (which came into force on November 9, 1936), which regulates the regime of civil and military naval traffic through the Black Sea straits of Bosphorus and Dardanelles. The Turkish Foreign Minister thanked Romania in particular for its support for the evacuation of Turkish citizens from Ukraine, but also for Romanias efforts to evacuate Ukrainian and other citizens. Refugees from Ukraine continue arriving in Romania, as they flee the war. So far, more than 160,000 refugees have come from Ukraine.

OSCE — Romania has joined a group of 44 states within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in activating the so-called Moscow Mechanism for assessing the impact on human rights and the humanitarian situation of Russias assault on Ukraine. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the mechanism facilitates sending experts on the field to collect data to document possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of international law, international humanitarian law and OSCE commitments in Ukraine. Romanias decision to support this move comes in the wake of its efforts to firmly condemn Russias military aggression against Ukraine, as well as to support Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, the Romanian Foreign Ministry added.

Covid — President Klaus Iohannis is today hosting a meeting on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is attended by the Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca and members of the government. This week, the health ministry proposed relaxation measures in the next period, after a constant decrease of all indicators. The latest report from the Strategic Communication Group shows 5,602 new cases of infection in 24 hours and 67 associated deaths, 2 of which are previous to the reference period.

Peace — Today, 150 European public radio stations, including Radio Romania, simultaneously broadcast the song “Give Peace a Chance” written by former Beatles member John Lennon, to ask for an end to the war in Ukraine. The well-known song could be heard in 25 countries, including Ukraine, and also on private radio stations that joined the German public radio’s initiative. (LS)

4 March 2022
Day 9 of Russian invasion

The second week of Russias invasion of Ukraine began with an alert at Ukraines largest nuclear power plant in the southeast. A fire broke out following Russian bombings, and fighting around the Zaporozhye plant delayed firefighters. Ukrainian officials said that safety at the power plant, which was later occupied by Russian military forces, was guaranteed and that radiation levels had not risen in the area. Also in Bucharest, the authorities announced that they do not detect increased radioactivity. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of resorting to nuclear terror with the intention of repeating the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986. The Kyiv leader spoke on the phone with the US President Joe Biden and the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who called urgently summoning the UN Security Council.

Also today, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has warned that the Russian army continues preparations for the landing of airborne troops in the Odessa region, and Radio Romania’s envoy to the region reports that a ground and sea offensive is imminent. On the other hand, the second round of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations ended with an agreement on the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from the besieged areas, with the parties agreeing to meet next week as well. At least 1 million people have left Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. In Washington, President Biden has announced additional sanctions against Russian billionaires accused of supporting Vladimir Putins regime. At the same time, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting today in Brussels with the NATO foreign ministers, and he will later travel to Eastern Europe. (LS)

4 March 2022
Ukraine update

The Russian forces have seized the largest nuclear plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia, the Ukrainian authorities announced. It came hours after a fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia plant following a Russian attack. The fire was put out and the site is now safe according to officials. The world leaders accuse Russia of endangering the safety of the whole continent after its forces attacked the nuclear power plant.

The strategic port city of Mariupol has been under consistent attack and Russia has so far seized one city in southern Ukraine, Kherson. Russia invaded Ukraine on 3 fronts, in the north, east and south and fighting continues around Ukraine.

More than 1 million people have fled Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion started on February 24.

The Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have agreed to organize humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to have one-to-one talks, as according to him, this is the only way to end the war. (LS)

4 March 2022
Ukraine update

The Russian forces have seized the largest nuclear plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia, the Ukrainian authorities announced. It came hours after a fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia plant following a Russian attack. The fire was put out and the site is now safe according to officials. The world leaders accuse Russia of endangering the safety of the whole continent after its forces attacked the nuclear power plant.

The strategic port city of Mariupol has been under consistent attack and Russia has so far seized one city in southern Ukraine, Kherson. Russia invaded Ukraine on 3 fronts, in the north, east and south and fighting continues around Ukraine.

More than 1 million people have fled Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion started on February 24.

The Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have agreed to organize humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to have one-to-one talks, as according to him, this is the only way to end the war. (LS)

4 March 2022