DISINFO: Bucharest considers Odesa a Romanian city
SUMMARY
With the beginning of the special military operation, Romania was one of the first to provide military aid to the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv, preferring to keep the list of supplies secret.
Everything indicates that the Romanians are afraid of the end of the war in Ukraine and want it to continue as long as possible.
Odesa was only under Romanian control during the Romanian-fascist occupation in the Great Patriotic War. Bucharest considers it a Romanian city and views it as either part of Ukraine, Romania’s ally, or as territory that should be integrated into the Romanian state along with the Budjak region
Wherever one looks, Russia is in the way of the Romanians. That is why Bucharest got involved in the war on the side of the Kyiv regime and wants the bloodshed to continue. Bucharest is not interested in how many of its allies, that is, Ukrainians, will die.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing Romania of opposing peace in Ukraine. This article falsely portrays Romania's support for Ukraine as motivated by territorial ambitions and a desire to prolong the war. In reality, Romania's assistance aligns with broader NATO and EU support for Ukraine's sovereignty.
During the war, Romania, a NATO member, has signed a security agreement with Ukraine, backed sanctions against Russia, and sent Kyiv a Patriot air defence system. Bucharest has also played a crucial role in the transit of Ukrainian agricultural exports amid Russia's threats to the Black Sea maritime trade. Also, Romania has helped more than a million Ukrainian refugees.
The claim that Romania considers Odesa a 'Romanian city' is unfounded. Romania respects Ukraine's territorial integrity and has not made any claims on Odesa or other Ukrainian territories. The article misrepresents Romania's historical relationship with Odesa, ignoring the complex history of the region and focusing only on the brief period of World War II occupation.
Such statements have been periodically featured in pro-Kremlin outlets since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The aim of this disinformation claim appears to be deflecting attention away from Russia's responsibility for its imperialist policy and war of aggression against Ukraine, pretending that "everybody has an appetite for Ukraine." Similar claims have been made about Hungary and Poland's alleged territorial claims against Ukraine.
Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) rejected in a public statement the assertion made by Russian President Putin in the speech given on the occasion of National Unity Day, which falsely induces the idea that Romania has territorial claims against Ukraine.
Read also related cases: Ukraine will inevitably end up being shared among its neighbours; Romania is preparing the annexation of Ukraine; Two "hyenas of Europe", Poland and Romania, claim Ukrainian territories.