"A bridge, not a terminal station": why Romania needs a strategic partnership with Ukraine
Romania maintains one of the most stable pro-Ukrainian positions in the region, despite internal pressure from pro-Russian forces. Political scientist Claudiu Crăciun explains why supporting Ukraine has become for Bucharest not only a matter of solidarity, but also a chance to strengthen its own security.
After the presidential elections in May 2025, Romania effectively remained the only neighbouring EU country that consistently supports Ukraine. Although relations between the states were rather cool before the full-scale war, historical and political changes have fundamentally changed the dynamics, notes Romanian political scientist Claudiu Crăciun, quoted by Soсportal.
According to him, bilateral relations were long influenced by the tense legacy of the Soviet period: the border with the USSR was militarized, and Moscow treated Romania with distrust.
After the invasion, everything changed because Romania recognised in Ukraine's response the same struggle for independence from Russia that marked its own history, he says.
The arrival of Ukrainian refugees has only strengthened this connection: Romanians have clearly seen the consequences of the war and have shown broad solidarity. This has also been reflected in political preferences, despite the activity of pro-Russian forces. According to Claudiu Crăciun, among them, there are ultra-conservative groups oriented towards Orthodox identity, but movements similar to those in Slovakia play a more significant role: they do not seek a “Russian world”, but greater autonomy within the EU. Another factor is the long-standing fear of Russian influence - it is shared by both political elites and citizens.
If successful in its war, Russia will become a de facto neighbour of Romania in the Black Sea, the expert says.
At the same time, in his assessment, solidarity with Ukraine also has a strategic dimension. Romania has long felt like a “terminal station” on the edge of the EU, less stable and less developed than the Central European countries.
If Ukraine becomes stable, democratic, and developed as part of the EU, presumably, Romania is not the end of the line; it is becoming a bridge, the political scientist notes.
This metaphor is already being implemented in large infrastructure projects. Romania is modernizing the key for the transit of Ukrainian cargo port of Constanta, planning a new highway, and restoring the bridge across the Tisza. The railway connection between Kyiv and Bucharest is also developing. During the blackouts, Romania also exported electricity to Ukraine.
As for military support, according to Claudiu Crăciun, Russian propaganda is actively intimidating society with “militarization” and fabrications about the mobilization of Romanians for the war in Ukraine. Therefore, the government prefers not to advertise possible supplies.
Which, in my opinion, is wise, given the fact that there is a Russian disinformation machine that uses everything to create fear, such as footage of military convoys, the expert said.