Photo: kremlin
Romania reacted strongly to Vladimir Putin’s new statement in which he again accused NATO of provoking the war in Ukraine, in particular by mentioning US military bases in Romania and Bulgaria.
In the documentary Russia. Kremlin. Putin. 25 Years”, recently broadcast on Russian television, the Russian president stated that the emergence of “advanced American bases” in Eastern Europe was one of the reasons that allegedly “justified” a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“The so-called US light forward bases have appeared in Bulgaria and Romania, each with 5,000 troops. We have the right to ask: who is this expansion against?” Putin was quoted as saying by Euronews.
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately responded: “Romania’s membership in NATO is the sovereign will of its citizens. Our participation in the Alliance does not pose a threat to any state”. Bucharest also stressed that the only real threat to Europe is the Kremlin’s aggressive policy.
“Putin is repeating the well-known narratives that became the backdrop for a brutal war and annexation. Russia is responsible for numerous war crimes against the civilian population of Ukraine and is waging a large-scale disinformation campaign against the EU and NATO,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Bucharest reaffirmed its determination to defend its sovereignty and security as a NATO and EU member state.
This statement is yet another diplomatic slap in the face of the Kremlin and a reaffirmation of the Alliance’s unity in the face of threats from Russia.
