Romania resumes diplomatic activity in Ukraine

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Romania resumes diplomatic activity in Ukraine
National flags of Romania and Ukraine

Bucharest, 14 May 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Romania, Bogdan Aurescu, announced that the Romanian Embassy resumed its activities in the city of Ukraine in Kyiv.

Foreign Minister Aurescu announced that the Embassy of Romania has resumed its activities on the ground.

He said that Romania stands with Ukraine fully as the country’s partner as they fight boldly for their freedom.

History of Romania and Ukraine bilateral relations

Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1918 and re-established in 1992. Romania has an embassy in Kyiv as well as two Consulate-Generals in Chernivtsi and Odessa.

With an Embassy in Bucharest, a Consulate in Suceava closed down in 2014 due to a lack of funds. Both countries share a connection through the large Romanian community that lives in Ukraine.

However, there has been a deadlock since 2017 in their relations as a result of a bill that limited the language rights of national minorities including Romanians in Ukraine.

Thus, in 2017 President Klaus Iohannis canceled his visit to Kyiv as a way of protesting against the Ukrainian new education bill.

From that time, their bilateral contacts at the highest level were three meetings of Foreign Affairs Ministers. Furthermore, Romania has been against the recognition of the minority as well as the Moldovan language by Ukraine.

Thereby, Romania viewed it as distorting history and also dividing Ukrainian Romanians. However, because of the fear of Russian aggressive policy in the Black Sea basin, both countries are developing defense and energy cooperation.

In light of this, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014 changed the perception of security for Romanians.

As part of NATO, Romania supported Ukraine’s defense capabilities and focused on building its cyber-security capacity of Ukraine and conducting joint exercises.

In conclusion, the President of Ukraine addressed the Romanian Parliament this year and said Kyiv wants to rebuild its relationship with Bucharest.