**Romania to Continue Supporting Ukraine, but Without Joining Peacekeeping Force**
In a recent interview with Politico, Romania’s President-elect Nicusor Dan expressed his country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. However, he clarified that Romania will not be participating in any potential peacekeeping force.
Dan stated that while Romania is willing to provide operational support on its own territory, it will not join the international forces guaranteeing peace in Ukraine. He cited existing tensions between Romania and Russia as a major reason for this decision. This stance reflects Romania’s delicate balancing act between maintaining good relations with its Western allies and avoiding direct confrontation with Russia.
**The Complexities of International Peacekeeping**
The idea of deploying international peacekeepers to Ukraine has been discussed within the British- and French-led coalition of the willing. However, due to political disagreements and military capacity issues, this ambitious plan has been scaled down. The concept of international peacekeeping is complex and often contentious, as it requires a delicate balance between providing security guarantees and avoiding direct involvement in a conflict.
**Romania’s Pro-Kyiv Course**
As a key ally to Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion, Romania has played an important role in supporting Kyiv’s efforts. The country has provided crucial aid, including a Patriot air defense missile system and facilitating the transit of Ukrainian grain amid Russian threats to Black Sea shipping.
**Dan’s Critique of Trump’s Peace Strategy**
In his interview with Politico, Dan also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s strategy for brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasized that nothing can be decided without Ukraine’s involvement in the negotiation process. This sentiment reflects a broader concern among many European leaders about the need for Ukrainian ownership and agency in any future peace talks.
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