President Basescu: Romania does not believe Ukraine was invaded

Friday, August 29, 2014 Share

President Traian Basescu says Romania does not believe that Ukraine has been invaded; speaking on Thursday evening at the Cotroceni Palace (the seat of Romanian Presidency), he pointed out that an analysis performed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the intelligence services of Romania indicates an unbalance in favour of the secessionists supported by Russia.



'I want to make it clear that Romania does not believe Ukraine was invaded. We are not witnessing an invasion,' he said.



The president also described the events in eastern Ukraine as a significant escalation of Russia's aid to secessionists.



Therefore, Basescu declared, it is not necessary to convene the Supreme Council for Country's Defence (CSAT) on the situation in Ukraine; nevertheless, a CSAT meeting is scheduled on September 3.



Governmental sources had indicated that a CSAT meeting will be probably convened next week, on September 3, with an agenda including the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.

Putin's objective is to create a much larger Transnistria in eastern Ukraine

President Traian Basescu said on Thursday evening at Cotroceni Palace that Romania condemns Russia's support for separatists in Ukraine, opining that the objective of Russia's President Vladimir Putin is to create a much larger Transnistria in eastern Ukraine.



'Romania condemns the actions of the Russian Federation meant to support separatists in meeting their objective to be no longer under Ukraine's control, which is a unitary state. In addition, Romania reiterates its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to our assessment, President Putin's objective is to create a much larger Transnistria in eastern Ukraine to block both the ratification of the EU Association Agreement, and the possible advance of Ukraine in its effort to become a member state in the medium term. We remain on Ukraine's side. We are a supporter of Ukraine and we shall do whatever it's possible in legal terms to support this country,' Basescu told a press conference at the Presidential Palace.



He stressed that the situation at Novoazovsk and Mariopul is also known.



'These are elements that can be considered areas, particularly Novoazovsk, where there are troops of the Russian Federation, but this doesn't mean a great unit, they are infiltrated troops, like in the entire area of eastern Ukraine,' President Basescu said.